Fishing in Burgas: where to fish and what to know
Near Burgas there are lakes, the sea and fishing ports. This page gathers what the sources confirm and says where to check the rules: permits, closed seasons and sizes change, so we do not give figures.
- 4waters nearby: Vaya, Mandra, Atanasovsko, Poda
- carppopular fishing on Lake Vaya
- 6 DecemberSt Nicholas, patron of fishermen
The rules for recreational fishing in Bulgaria (permits, closed seasons, minimum sizes, protected areas) are set by law and annual orders. Check them with the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture (IARA) or the ministry website before you fish.
Angler’s map
📍 Burgas and the coastLakes, ports and protected areas near Burgas. Tap a marker to read the description. Markers show the area, not the exact fishing spot.
Coordinates from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage. Map © OpenStreetMap. Check rules and access with IARA.
Where to fish
What is known about the waters near Burgas. Check access and permits for each one separately.
Lake Vaya (Burgas Lake)
The largest natural lake in Bulgaria by area. According to our Sights page the water is cloudy, swimming is not recommended, but carp fishing is popular. Birdwatching is possible nearby.
Lake Mandra
The largest of the Burgas Lakes, a freshwater reservoir: a dam built in the 1960s cut it off from the sea. It holds many freshwater fish species. Check access and fishing rules before you go.
Lake Atanasovsko
A salt lake north of Burgas, a nature reserve and a Ramsar wetland. Part of it has restricted access, so do not count on fishing here without checking the rules.
Poda
A protected area between the sea and the lakes, an important place for birds. Check any restrictions with the managing bodies.
The sea and fishing ports
There are fishing harbours in Sozopol and Pomorie and a port in Burgas. You can see fishing boats and buy or taste fresh fish here.
Based on the Sights and Eat pages of this site and Wikipedia (Burgas Lakes, Lake Mandrensko, Lake Atanasovsko).
What bites by season
A guide to the fish of Burgas Bay and the lakes. There is no single calendar and the sources disagree, so names and timing are approximate.
Sea, spring (March to May)
Migratory fish pass along the coast in spring and autumn. In spring sprat and garfish are mentioned. Turbot is fished mainly in March and April, before the spawning ban (according to one source, from mid-April to mid-June).
Sea, summer (June to August)
A season of plenty, according to a Burgas restaurateur. Horse mackerel is named among the summer species.
Sea, autumn (September to November)
The “fishiest” season for sea fishing: bonito run in September and October, bluefish and mackerel in autumn, and horse mackerel from late September to December.
Sea, winter (December to February)
The catch is poorer: mostly local and year-round species remain, for example gobies.
Lake Vaya
Carp fishing is popular. According to Wikipedia about 23 fish species live in the lake; it does not name them.
Lake Mandra
The reservoir holds many freshwater fish, and reference works mention carp and pike. We could not reliably confirm monthly seasons for the lakes; ask local anglers and IARA.
According to one study, recreational sea fishing is most popular in April to June and September to November. Check closed seasons and sizes with IARA.
Fishing permit and price
The recreational fishing ticket is issued by IARA. From 2026 the annual ticket costs BGN 50 instead of 25: the price had not changed since 2006.
2026 prices
Year: BGN 50 (≈ €25.57). Six months: BGN 30 (≈ €15.34). Ages 65+ and 14–18: BGN 25 (≈ €12.78) a year. Duplicate if lost: BGN 2 (≈ €1.02). The BGN 50 price is confirmed by BTA quoting the IARA director; the others are from the intermediary’s site.
Official IARA website
The ticket is issued by the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture. See the IARA site for the conditions and where to get it: iara.government.bg ↗
Through an intermediary (online)
The site ribolovenbilet.com ↗ accepts the application and arranges delivery of the ticket: a form, ID details and a photo, courier delivery by Econt for an extra fee. It is an intermediary, and the ticket is issued by IARA. We are not affiliated with this site.
What you will need
The intermediary’s form asks for a name, EGN (personal number), ID details, citizenship, address, phone and a photo. The sources do not say how a foreigner without an EGN gets a ticket: ask IARA.
The BGN 50 price is from BTA on 3 December 2025. Euro amounts are converted at 1.95583 lev per €. Conditions and prices may change.
What to know
We do not give prices or sizes because they change. Here is where to look.
Fishing permit
Fishing in inland waters usually requires a permit (ribarski bilet). Prices and how to get it are in the “Fishing permit and price” section above. Check the rules for the sea with IARA.
Closed seasons
Bans on fishing during the spawning period are set by orders and change from year to year. See the current orders on the ministry website.
Minimum sizes
Minimum catch sizes and limits are set by law. A wrong size or gear can lead to a fine, so consult the official rules.
Protected areas
Lake Atanasovsko, Poda, the Ropotamo reserve and other areas have a special regime. Fishing and entry may be restricted.
Fish and mussels on the table
If you just want to taste the catch, see the Eat page: Sozopol’s fishing harbour, Old Nessebar and the Burgas port.
Official rules are with IARA and the Ministry of Agriculture; this page does not replace them.
Questions and answers
Fishing in brief
Where can you fish near Burgas?
Lake Vaya (carp fishing is popular) and Lake Mandra reservoir are often mentioned. Lake Atanasovsko and Poda are protected areas, so check access in advance.
Do you need a permit to fish in Bulgaria and what does it cost?
Inland waters usually require a permit (ribarski bilet), issued by IARA. The annual ticket costs BGN 50 (≈ €25.6) in 2026, and the six-month ticket BGN 30 according to the intermediary’s site. Check the rules for the sea with IARA.
Can you fish in Lake Atanasovsko?
It is a nature reserve and a Ramsar wetland, and part of it has restricted access. Do not count on fishing without confirming the rules.
What fish can you catch in the Black Sea in autumn?
In autumn bonito run (September–October), along with bluefish and mackerel, and horse mackerel is caught from late September to December. The timing is approximate; there is no single calendar.
What can you catch in the lakes near Burgas?
Carp fishing is popular on Lake Vaya, and reference works mention carp and pike in Mandra. We found no monthly seasons for the lakes; ask local anglers and IARA.
Where can you buy or taste fresh fish?
In the fishing harbours of Sozopol and Pomorie, in the Burgas port and in Old Nessebar. More on the Eat page.
Recreational fishing rules change; check them with IARA and the Ministry of Agriculture.
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Sources
- Burgas Lakes — Wikipedia ↗
- Lake Mandrensko — Wikipedia ↗
- Lake Atanasovsko — Wikipedia ↗
- Ministry of Agriculture and Food (Bulgaria) ↗
Recreational fishing rules change; check them with IARA and the Ministry of Agriculture.