When can you fish for Narrow-clawed crayfish in Romania 2026?

Closed seasons

• 1 Jan – 9 AprDanube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) (Art. 6 alin. (1) lit. j))
  Narrow-clawed crayfish, DDBR only.
• 1 Sep – 30 SepDanube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR) (Art. 6 alin. (1) lit. j))
  Narrow-clawed crayfish, DDBR only.

General closure (all species)

In addition to the per-species rules, a general closure for all species applies in these zones:

• 9 Apr – 7 JunNatural inland waters (rivers, lakes) (Art. 1 alin. (1))
• 24 Apr – 7 JunDanube and its branches (state border) (Art. 1 alin. (1))
• 16 Apr – 30 MayBorder with Ukraine, incl. Musura Gulf (Art. 1 alin. (3))
• 9 Apr – 7 JunPrut River and Stânca-Costești lake (Art. 1 alin. (4))
• 9 Apr – 7 JunRazim-Sinoe complex and littoral lakes (Art. 1 alin. (2))

Minimum keep size

No minimum size is specified for Narrow-clawed crayfish in the sources used.

Special rules by zone

• In the DDBR, outside the prohibition, recreational fishing for pike, pikeperch, catfish and carp is allowed ONLY with immediate release (catch & release), keeping a single specimen/day from one species. (Art. 6 alin. (8))
• In the DDBR, a recreational angler may not transport more than 10 kg/angler or 15 kg/family, regardless of the number of days. (Art. 10 alin. (15))

Fines (indicative)

• 2.000–4.000 RONFishing during prohibition periods and in protection zones; or within 500 m downstream of dams. (Legea 176/2024, Cap. XII art. 52)

Frequently asked questions