What is best fishing windows

February is a long month across most of Europe. The holidays are long gone but the back-to-work blues are still going strong. People want to escape the long nights and commuter crowds. To imagine themselves on a sandy beach or a remote river. This is when many of us start planning our next angling adventure.

If you’re one of them, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of the best fishing spots in Europe for 2020. From tropical islands to mountain streams, we’ve combed the continent to bring you the best of European angling. Every spot is amazing in its own special way. So, in no particular order, here are this year’s top European fishing spots.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is the gateway to the Mediterranean. It’s the only route between the Atlantic and the Med, which makes it a superhighway for huge, predatory fish. Every summer, these waters come alive with Bluefin Tuna, Sharks, and even Marlin. And because the sea is so narrow here, you don’t need to travel far to find them.

Sound a little serious for you? Not a problem! Gibraltar is also a great place to reel in delicious food fish like Dentex, Snapper, Seabream, and John Dory. If you want more of a challenge, you can also hook hard fighters like Amberjack. Whatever you’re after, you’ll find it just a stone’s throw from shore.

It’s not just the fishing that makes Gibraltar interesting. The area has a fascinating past, from its ancient Moorish castle to a labyrinth of WWII tunnels. Once you’ve had enough of history, take a cable car up the Rock of Gibraltar to see stunning views – and monkeys! Finally, enjoy a relaxing dinner of Mediterranean cuisine or classic British “pub grub.” There’s nowhere else like it.

Reykjavik, Iceland

We challenge you to name a more dramatic setting than Iceland. The country’s volcanic landscape and sheer isolation give it an almost mythical quality. Iceland also has a long fishing heritage. People here have relied on the sea for centuries, and the island now has some of the best-managed fisheries in the world. Unique scenery, untouched nature, and lots of fish? We’re in.

A short drive from Reykjavik lies Lake Thingvallavatn, home of monster Brown Trout. Trophies here weigh anywhere from 20 to 30 pounds, and you can also catch Arctic Char for extra variety. Head into the ocean, and Cod, Pollock, Haddock, Halibut, and more start to show up. Did we mention that Iceland’s rivers are full of wild Salmon? Seriously, the fishing here is too good to miss.

Once your arms are dead from fighting fish, it’s time to relax. Pamper yourself at a spa, or enjoy the thermal waters at one of the city’s outdoor pools. Take in Reykjavik’s picture-perfect wooden houses and monumental Hallgrimskirkja Church. Warm up with a bread bowl full of hot reindeer soup, then visit some of the city’s many galleries. After that, you can start exploring the rest of the island!

Ponta Delgada, Azores

It’s difficult to know where to start with the Azores. Do you fish from shore for Bluefish, Barracuda, and White Trevally? Hit the local reefs and rocky structure for Seabream, Grouper, and Amberjack? Maybe you should head inland in search of Rainbow Trout, Pike, and Carp. Decisions, decisions…

Who are we kidding? You’ll be offshore, fighting giant Tuna and Marlin! Both Blue and White Marlin show up here, and the Azores are one of the best places on earth to look for “grander” (1,000 lbs) Blues. The Tuna bite is just as extreme, with Bluefin, Yellowfin, and Bigeye Tuna all hitting record sizes. All this and more is waiting just a couple of miles off the beach.

The Azores are famous for their lush volcanic landscape. The area of Ponta Delgada certainly lives up to the hype. Walk the lava tunnels of Gruta do Carvao. Join a horse ride up to the crater lakes of Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Otherwise, just relax on the island’s black sand beaches. Whatever you do, you can expect plenty of fresh, tasty fish at the end of the day.

Lleida, Catalonia

Last year, we named the River Ebro one of our bucket list fishing spots alongside the likes of Hawaii and the Amazon. What makes this corner of Spain so special? One word: Catfish. The Ebro is famous for its enormous Wels Catfish, which can reach 200 pounds or more. The best place to find them is just down the road from Lleida, in Mequinenza Reservoir.

The Ebro is good for more than Catfish, mind you. It’s also an amazing Carp fishery, with plenty of fish in the 30–40-pound range. If that’s still not enough, the river also holds decent sized Zander. But honestly, who’s going to bother with them when you could be chasing the next Catfish world record?

If the best fishing is around Mequinenza, why base your trip half an hour away in Lleida? Simple: there’s a lot more to do here. Lleida is a city of over 400,000 people with a medieval citadel, a pedestrianised centre, and plenty of bars and restaurants. And of course, it’s not far from the world-class vineyards of Priorat and Tarragona, so grab a bottle to go with your fish!

Galway, Ireland

There are fish every which way you turn in Galway. To the north lies Lough Corrib, which is full of Brown Trout, Sea Trout, and Salmon. Journeying east and south, you arrive at Lough Derg, famous for its mayfly madness in April and May. And of course, you have the entire Galway Bay. Load up on Cod and Haddock, or head to the Aran Islands for outstanding Shark fishing.

The species themselves are only half of what makes fishing here special. Ireland has some of the most relaxed angling regulations in Europe. You don’t even need a license, unless you’re targeting Salmon or Sea Trout. As long as you look up the local limits, you can just roll up, break out your rod, and start enjoying world-class angling!

Galway is known as “the Cultural Heart of Ireland.” It holds several arts festivals each year and live music drifts out of pubs all around town. It’s an all-round fun, friendly place to be. If you’re more of an outdoorsy type, lose yourself in the wilds of Connemara or gallop across sandy beaches on horseback. Then there’s the area’s ancient history, delicious seafood, fine whiskey – you won’t get bored, that’s for sure!

Tenerife, Canary Islands

We already had the Azores. Do we really need another Atlantic island chain? Yes. Yes we do. The Canary Islands have the same world-class sportfishing with even better weather. Seabream, Amberjack, and Dentex roam the reefs while Marlin and Tuna hunt in the bluewaters just a mile or two offshore. Wherever you fish, you’re in for a treat.

The thing that makes Tenerife special is that you can head there any time of year and find huge fish. Marlin are mainly in town from late spring until early autumn, but you can catch Tuna all year round. You can fill the boat with tasty bottom fish like Amberjack even in the darkest depths of winter.

Not that winter is really a thing here. The mercury rarely dips below 15ºC (59ºF) even overnight. This makes it the perfect place to escape the Winter blues or swap out the turkey for a Christmas barbecue. Yes, there’s untouched nature and fascinating history. But chances are, you’ll be too busy building up a tan and splashing in the sea to notice.

Bled, Slovenia

Let’s start with the obvious: Bled is very, very pretty. This pleasant tourist town nestled in the Julian Alps looks straight out of a fairytale. You can fish from the banks of the lake, but you’ll be too busy taking in the view to notice the Carp biting on your bait. Instead, head to the hills, where the pristine waters are full of legendary game fish.

The main target species are Trout. This is one of the only places on earth where you can catch wild Marble Trout – a feather in the cap of any serious fly fisher. Brown Trout also live here, as do non-native species like Rainbow and Brook Trout. Then there’s Huchen, a rare, giant, Salmon-like fish whose closest relative lives in Mongolia. It’s easy to see why fly fishing in Slovenia is so popular.

Slovenia is a small country with a lot to see. Bled itself has lots of outdoor activities like zip lining or paddleboarding. The capital, Ljubljana, is just a half hour’s drive away, and is well worth a visit. In a single day, you can hike alpine trails, stroll city streets, and swim in crystal-clear seas. It’s essentially three different holidays rolled into one.

Stockholm, Sweden

It’s not often that you find people fishing right across from a country’s parliament. In Sweden, it’s an everyday sight, and not just because you don’t need a license. This is one of the cleanest cities on earth. The rivers are full of fish that most European capitals haven’t seen for centuries. Perch, Pike, Trout, and even Salmon show up right in the centre of town.

Don’t spend all your time in Stockholm itself, though. The city is surrounded by a sprawling maze of islands and rivers. It doesn’t take long to get deep into nature where the biggest fish live. If you don’t fancy freshwater fishing, you can also fish the Baltic Sea for Cod, Salmon, and Sea Trout. Around in winter? Why not try ice fishing!

The first thing you want to do once you pack away your rod is explore Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town. It really is as pretty as the pictures make out. Talking of photo-worthy, make sure you check out the outlandish metro stations dotted around the city. If you still have the energy, Stockholm has enough galleries, museums, and palaces to keep you busy for weeks.

Cagliari, Sardinia

This last one’s a little different. Sure, Sardinia has Bluefin Tuna and Swordfish offshore. Yes, it has Amberjack, Seabream, John Dory, and a dozen other tasty food fish on offer. It could easily rank on this list for its sportfishing alone. But that’s not why it’s here. The thing that makes Cagliari special is a different kind of fishing trip: pesca-tourism.

Pesca-tourism essentially means spending the day aboard a traditional commercial fishing boat. You work with the crew, learning about their techniques and traditions. You catch some fish, but it’s the experience that you’re there for. If you’ve ever dreamt of a life at sea on a paradise island, this is the one for you.

Paradise is the right word. Sardinia ticks all the boxes for a life of luxury, from the climate to the food, and of course, the scenery. No wonder people have settled here since the stone age. Cagliari itself is the definition of “la dolce vita”, with a port full of yachts and a multi-coloured jumble of grand old buildings and narrow streets. It’s impossible not to love it.

The Best Fishing Spots in Europe: A Tough Choice

This wasn’t an easy list to make. There are hundreds of towns that deserve a mention. Head out with a guide wherever you live and you’ll have a great time. However, every place on our list offers unforgettable angling with that certain something that sets it apart even among the best fishing spots in Europe. Visit any of them, and you’re in for a treat.

These are our picks for Europe’s best fishing spots, but what are yours? Where would you name as number one? Have you visited any of the places we covered? Drop us your thoughts and stories in the comments below!

Which PC game has the best fishing?

By PC Gamer 11 May 2019

Fishing in games should be a relaxing activity, but also an exciting one. Which game does it best?

In PC games, fishing is a much beloved and sought-after pastime. Sometimes it’s a side activity or minigame, and other times—as in fishing simulators—it’s the entire point of the game. But in MMOs, survival games, sims, and other genres, fishing is near and dear to our heart.

A good fishing experience should provide two things: relaxation, and excitement. The act of fishing—casting your line and waiting for a nibble—should be a serene and calm experience. Once you’ve got a bite, however, reeling in your prize should be a bit of a rush.

Below, in no particular order, we’ve rated the fishing experiences in a number of PC games, whether they’re minigames, time-killers, or full-blown fishing simulators, by how relaxing and exciting they are. Just for fun, let’s begin with a game you can’t even play yet!

Sea of Thieves

Sea of Thieves was already a pretty relaxing game even without fishing—under certain circumstances. The beautiful waves, the sandy white beaches, the gentle creaking of a ship, all perfectly soothing. At least until a Kraken pops up or other players arrive and turn your boat into splinters. And its fishing is like that too. Supremely relaxing until another ship fires on you or a nearby volcano explodes or a skeleton ship chases you or a storm fills your hull with water.

Also adding some excitement is the fact that there an extremely rare variant of each of the game’s ten types of fish, so after a couple hours of pulling in common Ruby Splashtails you’ll suddenly hook the elusive Snow Wrecker or Trophy Forsaken Devilfish and get a real thrill, followed by a nice payoff.

Relaxing: 8/10
Exciting: 8/10

Far Cry 5

I grew up fly-fishing with my dad, a method for catching trout in which the fisherman wraps a bunch of feathers and fur around a small hook to resemble a bug and whips it around like a bullfighter. He calls it ‘the philosopher’s sport’, probably because you spend a lot of time sitting around doing nothing or untangling your line from the brush. Far Cry 5’s take does away with the brush and the long waits but gives you a character that can cast line across a damn football field with the grace of an Olympic javelin thrower. It feels and looks amazing, propped up by a detailed rendition of Montana. Catching fish is easy and satisfying, but any meditative properties are gutted by Far Cry 5’s insistence on entertaining you. Expect to bag as many dead cultists, bears, and mountain lions as you do trout. And expect any philosophical musings to veer into nihilism—it’s hard to appreciate your place in nature if it’s dunking you in blood. —James Davenport

Relaxing: 2/10
Exciting: 8/10

Stardew Valley

There are a lot of relaxing activities in Stardew Valley, and fishing is simultaneously the most calming and the most frustrating. Instead of the standard «hit the button when the bobber goes under» mechanic, Stardew’s fishing minigame involves keeping your fishing meter aligned with a fish icon that fluctuates up and down, depending on how difficult the fish is to catch. It’s frustratingly difficult at first—the bar is tiny, the fish flail wildly, and the control scheme is unconventional. But once you get the hang of things—and level up your fishing skill enough so the bar isn’t so miniscule—it becomes a relaxing zen escape from the hustle and bustle of small-town farm life. —Bo Moore

Relaxing: 7/10
Exciting: 5/10

The Sims 4

There are a number of relaxing activities in The Sims 4, though I’ve come to the determination that fishing isn’t one of them. It feels like one, initially: you cast your line and see what happens. The issue I have is that once you’re there, the game will immediately send other Sims to fish beside you: friends, neighbors, strangers, pets, they all flock to your location as if they’re answering a distress call. Your personal needs begins stacking up, relationship meters begin appearing, and the zen experience quickly becomes lost amidst a clouds of distracting icons. When you catch something, conversely, it’s not exciting but a relief: now I can go do something else just to get away from the crowd. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 1/10
Exciting: 1/10

My Time At Portia

To fish in My Time At Portia you’ll need a rod (craftable) and a caterpillar (found while hacking up bushes), and you can only fish at a few designated spots. When a fish bites, you reel the fish in while keeping your mouse cursor over the struggling creature.

My issue is that a fish always bites, and always bites at pretty much the same amount of time after you’ve cast your line. It’s not particularly relaxing, I think because the fish bite so quickly, and it’s not terribly exciting, either, because you pretty much know exactly when the fish will bite. Fishing in Portia is very respectful of your time, which is nice, but I’m not here for tightly scheduled fishing. Quite the opposite, in fact. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 3/10
Exciting: 3/10

World of Warcraft

I want to cut World of Warcraft some slack because its fishing minigame is well over a decade old at this point, but it’s pretty damn disappointing all around. There’s nothing really to it: Just cast your line, click on the bobber when it wiggles around a bit, and voila, you have a fish. There’s a skill system tied to it, obviously, but it doesn’t really mean much since you can still fish wherever you want. Legion also added an ultra rare fishing rod for those real zealous fishers, but again fishing largely feels like a waste of time and I won’t fault you for skipping it entirely. —Steven Messner

Relaxing: 6/10
Exciting: 1/10

Ice Lakes

Any spot of fishing that begins with a goddamn starter pistol firing and a group of fishermen running at top speed toward the lake can hardly be considered relaxing. Luckily, Ice Lakes has a non-competitive free-fishing mode as well. It’s a novelty to use a giant hand-cranked drill to bore a giant hole in the ice, but there’s something a bit graceless about the fishing experience itself. It’s not stressful, but not relaxing either. It can be a bit exciting seeing your pole bend when a fish nibbles, and it’s satisfying, after a catch, to see the fish plop onto the ice next to you. That’s right, you scaly bastard. You’ve been caught. Now lie there and watch while I catch the rest of your friends and family. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 2/10
Exciting: 3/10

Ark: Survival Evolved

A nice change of pace from battling dinos or getting raided, fishing in Ark does require some hefty gathering of bait: either visiting a dangerous swamp to collect leeches, or tapping redwoods for sap (the sap-taps require a good deal of crafting). You’ll also need a chair to sit in, but once your line is in the water it’s plenty relaxing and enjoyable to watch the fish nose around.

Unfortunately, it culminates in a QTE where you’re prompted (in the least-subtle on-screen text ever) to press a bunch of letters. It can feel a tiny bit stressful, but stress isn’t the same as excitement. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 8/10
Exciting: 2/10

Depth Hunter: The Spearfishing Simulator

It’s been about six years since I played Depth Hunter and discovered I have a mild fish-phobia and a lot of concerns about ghost pirates. Using a spring-loaded harpoon to impale fish is cool and it can be exciting when you puncture a barracuda and drag it into your pocket. But fishing takes on a slightly less-relaxing tone when you have to do it while holding your breath underwater. In fact, I’d say it’s not very relaxing at all. Running out of breath while in an underwater cave surrounded by slimy fish and (maybe) undead pirates isn’t exactly the best way to chill. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 1/10
Exciting: 6/10

Minecraft

Fishing in Minecraft has some nice details baked in, like the fact that fishing in the rain will result in a shorter wait for a bite (presumably since the fish are attracted by the raindrops) and fishing in the dark will take longer (fish typically don’t carry flashlights). And there’s a nice effect as the fish leaves a little wake when approaching the lure. It’s an enjoyable and relaxing experience to fish in Minecraft.

Exciting? Not so much. Click once when the bobber dunks and you’ll automatically catch and pocket whatever’s there. If anything, it’s anti-climactic. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 8/10
Exciting: 1/10

Fishing: Barents Sea

It’s tough to relax when your entire livelihood depends on catching fish, as in Fishing: Barents Sea, a commercial fishing simulator. It’s a great game, but as you work your way from a lowly fisherperson on a tiny boat to a wealthy and successful fish baron, there’s simply not much time to relax. Bringing fish into your boat isn’t terribly exciting itself, but a good haul that meets a quota, completes a mission, or sells for a ton of money: that’s pretty exciting. As a bonus, there are enjoyable (though repetitive) fish-hooking and fish-gutting minigames.

Relaxing: 2/10
Exciting: 7/10

Black Desert Online

The actual act of fishing in Black Desert Online isn’t anything extraordinarily unique. You do the basic cast, wait for a bite, and then complete some quick-time events like pressing a button at the right time and then punching in a combo of keys before a timer runs out—the usual stuff. But what I love about Black Desert Online’s approach is that it openly embraces the fact that fishing in a videogame is actually so goddamn boring and captures none of the serenity and joy of the real-life sport.

So instead, there’s an AFK fishing mode where you can just leave your character to cast their line and then minimize the game and they’ll continue to fish until their rod breaks or their inventory fills up. It’s a great way of making money and I’d much rather just AFK fish then spend my afternoons doing it the slow and painful way. Win-win. —Steven Messner

Relaxing: 10/10
Exciting: 4/10

Torchlight 2

I’m not sure if fishing in Torchlight is actually relaxing, or simply relaxing in comparison to the unending hacking and slashing of the dungeon crawler’s swarms of monsters. It’s nice, though. Find a designated fishin’ hole in a quiet spot, drop in your line (your character apparently carries a fishing pole with them at all times), and wait. The circle will grow and contract hypnotically, and when it closes, hit a button and reel in a fish, feed it to your pet, and watch it transform into a treasure chest with teeth.

You can also fish with dynamite, which is good for catching several fish at once, but somehow detracts from the zen fishing experience (as explosives often do). —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 7/10
Exciting: 2/10

Provided you’ve managed to craft or find a fishing rod before someone handcuffs you, drains your blood, and shoots you in the head, fishing in DayZ can be a welcome respite and an incredibly relaxing activity. With an earthworm on the hook and your line cast, you just wait, keeping an eye on the status messages until something bites. It’s never 100% relaxing, due to the paranoia of another player showing up, but it’s about as close to a rest you get.

The menu-based actions to pull in the line, however, take away a bit of the excitement of catching a fish. As a bonus, however, you can use the fish as a melee weapon instead of just cooking and eating it. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 8/10
Exciting: 2/10

Fishing Planet

Your relaxation while playing Fishing Planet might depend on how you personally feel about free-to-play games with in-game currency, microtransactions, and gated content. If you don’t mind spending some money (or slowly grinding out progress), there’s a lot to like in this complex fishing simulation. It’s a nice-looking game with lots of (unlockable) places to fish and tons of depth, though the excitement can be undercut if you know what you’re doing. Use the right lure and the right bait in the right area, and the fish will be so easy to catch you’ll assume that becoming your dinner is their lifelong goal. —Chris Livingston

Relaxing: 8/10
Exciting: 5/10

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