Hunting and Fishing
Portugal may be the best
country in the world for its size for fishermen. It will soon become apparent
to you as you see practically everyone in the country eating fish twice a day
that there are a lot of fish in these waters.
The hunting is less
interesting, though for the small game hunter, there are many rabbits, hare,
pheasant, partridge and other birds. The tremendous density of farming and
cultivation has chased back most of the larger game into Spain.
There are two main types of
fishing in Portugal, both of them exciting and rewarding. These are ocean and
fresh‑water fishing. We shall deal with them separately.
This is the baby brother in
Portugal. Except for the exciting change of scenery, cultures, etc., people do
not usually make a trip to Portugal for the fresh‑water fishing. Once there,
however, you'd be well advised to rent some equipment and make an expedition
for a couple of days or more, as the fish do abound in certain regions.
A license is one thing you'll
need. You can get it from the local authorities in the place you intend to
fish. Depending on how long and varied your expedition, you can get a permit to
fish in a particular municipality and bordering municipalities for 3000 annual,
a permit to fish in the municipality and bordering municipalities on Sundays
and holidays only for 2000 annual, a permit to fish in the region covered by
the authority, including rivers which form borders, for 100500 annual or a
national permit, also including the islands adjacent to Portugal, for 20000.
Once you have the license,
you are subject to the usual complex set of restrictions regarding seasons,
minimum sues, etc. The fresh‑water season is roughly between April and
November, but if you're thinking of going after a particular species, it's
worthwhile to know in advance if you'll be allowed to catch it. so we have
provided the following list of seasonal restrictions:
Trout ‑ from March 1 to July 31
Largemouth bass ‑ from July 1 to March 14
Barbel ‑ from July 1 to March 14
Carp ‑ from July t to March 14
Shad ‑ from February 1 to July 14
Salmon ‑ March 1 to July 31
Sturgeon and plaice ‑ from January 16 to July 14.
In places where salmon tive,
no fishing of any kind is allowed except during the above mentioned salmon
season. You are also not permitted to catch salmon that are swimming down to
the sea.
You are not allowed to fish
after sunset in Portugal or prior to sunrise.
Generally speaking, the
following locations are suitable for the respective fresh‑water species:
Trout ‑ from the Alge River in the north and in most sandy
streams of the north,‑ in the Minho and Lima Rivers, and especially in lakes
and streams of the Serra da Estrella. such as Lagoa Comprida.
Barbel ‑ in all rivers and streams in Portugal.
Largemouth Bass ‑ Agueda Region: Pateira de Fermentelos, Meranhao
Reservoir: Mora and Coruche Region; Bonavente and Salvaterra de Magos: Valle de
Gaio Reservou; River Sado: Region of Elvas: Beja and Algarve Dams.
Carp ‑ the rivers and streams of the central and south
paru of Portugal.
Shad ‑ in rivers of Portugal during the spring. In other
seasons only in the sea.
Mullet ‑ all along the coast in swift‑running streams.
Salmon ‑ in the rivers of. Minho and Lima.
Following is a list
of locations where fresh‑water fishing is said to be particularly good:
Tributaries of the River Tejo
(Tagus), such as Ocreza River, near Pracana: Ponsul River. near Marachal
Carmona; Nisa River, near Povoa: Sor River. near Montargil: Seda River, near
Maranhão. Tributaries of the River Sado. as Alcacovas River, near Salazar:
Xarrama River, near Trigo de Morais; Campilhas River, near Campilhas.
On the River Douro at
Bemposta. Picote. Miranda do Douro and the Douro's tributary river, the River
Tavora.
On the Zezere River, the
reservoirs at Castelo do Bode, Bouca, Cabril and Santa Luzia.
On the River Cavado at
Peniche, Canicada. Salamonde, Venda Nova, Paradela and Alto du Rabagao.
It can be stated without fear
of exaggeration that Portugal is among the two or three best deep‑sea fishing
countries of Europe. The Portuguese consume ten times as much fish as they do
meat, and most of it comes from the sea.
The reason for this
remarkable fishing in the sea is very simple to understand. Portugal is
situated on the land extent of Europe, and there is a further platform called
the continental shelf, which drops steeply down to depths of 3,250 fathoms. The
platform itself, however, extends between 50 and 100 kilometers out from
Portugal and has depths of about 55 to 300 fathoms. It is on this shelf that
shoals of small fish gather, and to which the large fish come to feed.
Here you will find shoals of
sardines in the thousands, then the next larger varieties, which still travel
in groups and feed off the sardines. This second group includes the various
bream, bass, mackerel, blue fish, etc., and finally the lonely giants from the
deep, the shark, tunny, sword fish, salmon bass, etc., which can weigh in
anywhere from 5 to 250 kilograms or even more.
All together, there are more
than 200 varieties that regularly appear in the Portuguese fish markets
throughout the country. Far too many for this book to cover.
There are basically four
types of sea fishing done in Portugal. These are Beach Casting, Rocle Fishing,
Inshore Fishing and Deep‑sea Fishing.
Beach Casting: The best
spots for beach casting is where there is some interference, such as seaweed or
a, few rolls, where the fish might be attracted. Search for disturbed waters,
go at sunrise or dusk or an overcast day and cast for the spot just before
where the waves break. You are fishing mainly for bass when you employ this
style, so bait with dead shellfish or pieces or pork fat. The best place in the
country for beach casting after bass is Póvoa de Varzim, according to locals.
Peniche also is popular, with possibilities for bass, bream, sea mullet and
mackerel. At Sesimbra, which is good for all kinds of sea fishing, casting from
the shore will get you red mullet, sole, conger eel, bream, shad and bass. Since,
on the coast of Alentejo Province, is also a favored place, where you can get
bass and sole from the beach.
In the south the yield is
different because of the proximity of the Mediterranean and the different
varieties emanating from there. Around Sagres is one of the best fishing spots,
with possibilities for bluefish, porgie, glaucus, bass, salmon bass, golden
bream, etc. Lagos is also popular as is Faro. Albufeira, Quarteira, Portimão
and Vila Real de Santo António. Essentially the same varieties in these places
as at Sagres.
Rocle Fishing: This can be one of the most picturesque types of
fishing, but has a certain danger to it in Portugal, where the Atlantic wind
blows in very strong gusts and can sweep a fisherman into the sea with the help
of a large wave.
Once again you should look
for an overcast day, and the earlier you arrive the better. There are many
types of lures and baits in use, since the variety of fish caught from rocles
is greater than that caught from the beach. Rather than use your experience
from other waters, see what the local fishermen are using, and the techniques
they use to trick the sly fish.
The most picturesque and best
all around place for rule fishing is along the Algarve Coast, to the west of
Faro. The best place in this area is the region of Sagres, Cape St. Vincent.
Here rule fishing will get you every variety mentioned under beach casting plus
whiting, mackerel, tope, squalus, gray mullet and many more.
From Since there is also very
good rule fishing, with ample chances for bass, mackerel, bream and others.
Proceeding north along the coast, the resort‑fishing village of Ericeira offers
good rule fishing in a beautiful surrounding with chances for several types of
bream and some very large bass. The best season here is the winter, but only
for the dedicated fisherman.
Deep‑sea Fishing: This is, of, course, the granddaddy of fishing
wherever it can be done, and the method by which you catch the machismo fish,
the sharks, swordfish, tunny, etc. that become trophies, photographs and never‑to‑be
forgotten memories.
You will almost certainly
have to go out with a guide, who knows not only where the shoals are in the
vastness of the Atlantic, but can also put together the necessary materials for
making the expedition a success. He will know, for example, where to get a sack
of crushed sardines to pour over the side to attract the larger fish, and
similar tricks.
Most of the popular fishing
spots for deep‑sea fishing are in the south, or at least south of Peniche. The
famous spot is Sesimbra, where it is possible to hook several members of the
shark family, plus tunny, swordfish, conger, ray, salmon bass, scabbard., blue
fish, etc., etc.
The same varieties can also
be caught in boats setting out from Sines, Peniche and Nazaré.
Deep‑sea fishing in the south
will get you a much better chance at the tunny monsters as they swim in to the
Mediterranean to spawn. The season best for this is the early summer. Other
types caught in the south are marlin (blue and white), broadbill swordfish,
shark and mackerel. The favored spots for setting out are Eagres, Lagos, Faro
and Tavira.
For bait you should ask the locals
or your guide, but certainly sardines and bream, especially tive, are good for
many varieties. It depends on the type you are fishing.
Underwater fishermen
particularly favor the rocks around Berlenga Island. Also along the Algarve. An
underwater spear fishing championship was once held in Sesimbra.
Other spots where this sport
is popular are: Praia do Furadouro, the beaches near Aveiro, Póvoa de Varzim,
Vila do Conde, Tavira, Sines, Sagres.
The Centro Portuguese de
Actividades Submarinas, Avenida Almirante Reis, 106, Lisbon, organizes various
underwater fishing trips throughout the year. Even as a non‑member, you can
arrange to take part by writing them.
For additional information on
all specifics regarding fishing, contact the Club dos Amadores de Pesca de
Portugal, Rua do Salitre, 165, Lisbon, or the Associação Regional do Norte de
Pesca Desportiva, Rua do Breyner, 173, Porto.
Hunting for small game is
done all over Portugal, but the most popular places, because the hunting there
is done in the aristocratic style with hounds and horses, is in Alentejo and
Ribatejo.
You can actually get horses
and dogs for a hunt through Orey, Antunes, and Co., Praça Duque de Terceira, 4,
Lisbon, 2. Private clubs that organize rabbit and hare hunts are Sociedade
Hípica Lebreiera de Coruche, Sociedade Hípica Lebreira de Elvas, Sociedade
Hípica Lebreira do Ribatejo, Sociedade de Hipismo e Caça de Estremox and Secção
Lebreira do Lusitanno Ginásio Clube (Évora).
The Equipagem de Santo
Huberto or Ribatejo has organized two or three fox hunts per month since 1950.
For a hunting license the
address is Diana, Avenida Infante Santo, 343, ground floor. You can also get
information about hunting here. You will need to show your passport and your
hunting license from home, and provide two photographs of yourself, passport
size.
Hunting
seasons are:
Partridge, hare and rabbit ‑ from October to December 31
Pigeon ‑ November 1 to February 15
Quail ‑ October 15 to January 31
Mallard ‑ November 15 to March 15
Woodcock ‑ November 1 to February 15
Favored area for hunting
partridge are in the extreme north, in Trás‑os‑Montes, or in the Algarve.
Rabbit around the Douro River Valley, hare in Ribatejo and Alentejo, quail in
Minho and inland from Sesismbra, ducks in the Algarve.