The new regulations governing the 2026 inland fishing season in Galicia are now available, bringing with them a set of rules that will directly affect thousands of anglers. The Official Gazette of Galicia (DOG) has published the regulations that will determine how, when, and what can be fished in the region's rivers, reservoirs, and other inland bodies of water.
With this regulation, the Department of the Environment It establishes open seasons, permitted species, closed bodies of water, daily catch limits, minimum sizes, and special conditions for certain fishing areas. All of this is designed with the needs of both the more than 40.000 Galician fishermen that go out to the river every year, as in the conservation of certain populations de peces increasingly pressured.
Key dates of the general inland fishing season
The general rule states that the inland fishing season will begin on March 15 and end on July 31 in most bodies of water in Galicia. Within this general framework, adjustments are made depending on the species and the type of river or reservoir, especially in mountainous areas and in stretches where several sensitive species coexist.
In rivers designated as salmon waters, stretches with sea trout, or high mountain areas , the start of the fishing season is delayed until May 1st. This change aims to reduce pressure on more vulnerable populations during critical periods of their life cycle, such as the period following spawning.
In some fishing areas and sections with specific regulations, especially those with collaboration agreements or dedicated to catch-and-release fishing, the season extends beyond July 31. In these cases, periods may be extended until September 30, always under more restrictive conditions.
The annual order details, section by section, which areas maintain the general schedule and which have extensions or delays . It emphasizes that anglers should carefully review the specific regulations for each fishing area or river before planning their outings to avoid infractions due to lack of knowledge, and to choose the appropriate equipment, such as the best fishing rods.
In parallel, homogeneous criteria are maintained for the entire territory regarding working and non-working days , so that there is a clear pattern in all Galician rivers and the planning of the season is facilitated.
Trout fishing regulations: quotas, sizes and exceptions
Trout remains the star species of inland fishing in Galicia and, as usual, is subject to detailed regulations. The general season for this species begins on March 15 and ends on July 31, with the possibility of extending it until September 30 in certain jointly managed fishing areas and sections designated exclusively for catch and release.
In high mountain rivers and waters where trout, sea trout, or salmon coexist , the start of the trout fishing season is delayed until May 1st. This adjustment aims to reduce pressure in particularly sensitive areas where the balance between different species is more unstable.
As a general rule, the maximum catch limit is 6 trout per day , provided they meet the minimum size requirement of 19 centimeters. This limit aims to balance recreational fishing with the responsible use of resources.
Despite this common framework, the regulations note that each fishing area and section may have variations , with reductions in quotas or modifications to the minimum permitted size. Therefore, it is recommended to consult the information sheet for each area, as stricter requirements apply in some zones of special biological value.
In areas where only catch and release fishing is permitted , catches must be returned to the water immediately and in the best possible condition, using barbless hooks and handling the fish carefully to minimize stress and subsequent mortality.
Regulation of the prisoner: periods and enclosed areas with extension
The sea trout, a species of great sporting interest and growing tourist value , is facing a worrying situation due to the significant decline in its populations. For this reason, the new order maintains a cautious approach, with a shorter season and reduced quotas compared to other species.
The general sea trout season runs from May 1st to July 31st . However, in several well-known fishing areas, the season is extended for authorized catch-and-release fishing, always under strict control and with strict limitations.
In the fishing areas of Betanzos, Noia, Noval, Ombre, Padrón, A Ponte do Porto, Ribeiras, Segade, Traba, Xuvia, and Lambre , sea trout fishing has been extended until September 30th. This extension allows anglers to enjoy more days on the water, but without changing the catch limits or minimum sizes.
In the case of the Ponte Arnelas, Pontevea, and Sinde fishing reserves , the sea trout season closes on August 31st. This introduces a staggered closing date, adapting fishing pressure to the specific conditions of each river and the relative abundance of the species.
The daily catch limit remains at two fish per person per day, with a general minimum size of 35 centimeters. In the Eo River, however, the minimum size is reduced to 25 centimeters, while maintaining the same limit of two fish per day, taking into account the specific characteristics of that river basin.
Total ban on salmon fishing, with the only exception being the Ulla River.
One of the most decisive measures in the regulations is the complete ban on salmon fishing in all Galician inland waters . The Regional Ministry has opted to completely close the fishing of this species due to the serious decline it is experiencing in the region's main rivers.
This ban places Galicia in a leading position within Spain in terms of conservation measures for Atlantic salmon , assuming that, if direct pressure is not reduced to the maximum, the recovery of the species will be even more complicated in the coming years.
Only one very specific and controlled exception is contemplated , linked to the celebration of the traditional Salmon Festival in A Estrada. In this context, a fishing competition-exhibition is authorized in the fishing reserves of Sinde, Pontevea, Santeles, and Couso , under specific regulations approved by the corresponding territorial department.
The well-known Ximonde fishing reserve , one of the historical landmarks for salmon fishing on the Ulla River, is expressly excluded from this exception, thus reinforcing the message that the main objective is the protection of the species in the medium and long term.
The salmon fishing ban is complemented by other restrictions on particularly sensitive species , which are also affected by fishing bans in all inland water bodies of the community.
Protected species and management of invasive alien species
The annual order details a list of species that are completely closed to fishing in all inland waters of Galicia , and whose fishing is prohibited throughout the season. These include the native crayfish, the Iberian barbel, the three-spined stickleback, the shad, and the eel, all of which have severely depleted populations or are subject to intense environmental pressures.
In the specific case of the shad , a special regulation is in place: fishing is only permitted in the section of the Ulla River between the Couso dam and its mouth, and only between May 1st and June 7th. Outside of this period and this section, fishing for the species is prohibited.
Regarding invasive alien species , the regulations align with state legislation, which mandates the culling of captured specimens to prevent their reintroduction into the environment. These species include largemouth bass, common carp, red swamp crayfish, and signal crayfish, which are primarily found in reservoirs and bodies of water with lower ecological value.
The order specifies that fishing for these invasive exotic species is only permitted in certain territorial areas , clearly indicated in the legal text. Although fishing is authorized year-round in many of these reservoirs, anglers are required not to release any fish they catch back into the water.
This combination of strict bans and control over invasive species aims to protect indigenous communities de peces and improve the ecological balance in Galician rivers and reservoirs, an increasingly complex challenge due to human pressure and environmental changes.
Fishing days and organization of fishing trips
In addition to the opening and closing dates for each species, the order establishes a common framework regarding the days of the week on which fishing is permitted . Generally, Mondays are considered non-fishing days in all inland waters of Galicia.
This suspension of operations on Mondays, unless they coincide with national or regional holidays , aims to provide a periodic respite for rivers and reservoirs, reducing the pressure accumulated after weekends, when most of the activity is concentrated.
Thursdays , meanwhile, are declared open days for catch-and-release fishing only in all bodies of water, except when they coincide with national or regional holidays. In those cases, Thursdays are considered open according to the general fishing regulations authorized for each section.
The remaining days of the week are governed by the fishing regulations authorized for each river, fishing area, or location, as outlined in the annual regulations. This requires anglers to review the specific rules for each area to confirm whether catch and release is permitted.
In general terms, this scheme of working and non-working days seeks a balance between recreational use and the conservation of resources , distributing fishing pressure more evenly and facilitating some recovery of populations throughout the week.
New developments at the A Fervenza reservoir and fishing from a duck
Among the modifications most discussed by fans is the change of criteria in the A Fervenza reservoir, on the Xallas river , a setting well known for its good trout populations and for the influx of fishermen from all over Galicia, especially from the Santiago area.
This reservoir, located in the municipalities of Mazaricos, DumbrÃa, Vimianzo and Zas , has become in recent years a point of reference for fishing from a duck, a type of floating boat without a motor that allows the fisherman to move around almost the entire surface of the water.
The new regulations introduce a clear restriction: fishing from float tubes in A Fervenza is only permitted under the catch-and-release method. This means that anglers using this type of boat must return all captured trout to the water; they are not allowed to kill them.
This measure aims to reduce the pressure on one of Galicia's main trout reserves , given that the popularity of fishing from a duck had grown considerably in recent years, with days when dozens of enthusiasts could be seen in the same body of water.
The Ministry argues that this type of limitation favors the maintenance of abundant and relatively large populations, ensuring that A Fervenza remains a benchmark for sport fishing without compromising the future of the species.
The regulations governing the 2026 inland fishing season in Galicia outline a scenario that attempts to reconcile the enjoyment of a hobby deeply rooted in the Galician population with a series of increasingly strict conservation measures. Staggered dates, adjusted quotas, total bans on endangered species, and specific restrictions in key areas define a season in which anglers will have to pay closer attention than ever to the fine print of the regulations before casting their lines.
