Fishing

Picture the village in 1899. Bleak, a fish the locals call ukljeva, hangs drying, ready to be sent away. Dried bleak was then the village’s main export. You can read about that busy time in our history of the river port.

A village of fish

The habit is older still. According to Vuk Karadžić, bleak has been smoked and dried here since at least the 1830s. In the early 1900s the “Marica” mother-of-pearl factory even made products from fish scales. Then, from 1965 to 2013, the “Ribarstvo” cannery worked in the village. It was described as Europe’s only cannery for freshwater fish. More in the twentieth century.

The cannery is gone, but fishing has not. It is still one of the main ways people here make a living, alongside seasonal tourism and wine. In September, Riječka noć brings fish and wine tasting to the riverside walk.

Fish in the river and lake

More than 40 species of fish live in the lake and the river. Among them are carp (krap), bleak (ukljeva), eel and trout. Read more on the nature page.

Permit and fees

You need a fishing permit. The national park sets these fees, which have not changed since 2023:

Fees can change from season to season, so check before you go, on the national park page or at nparkovi.me. We could not confirm where to buy a permit in the village. Ask the national park before your trip.

Closed season

From 15 March to 15 May, fishing is closed for every species except eel.

Protecting the bleak

Bleak stocks need care. At the 2026 wine and bleak festival in Virpazar, no bleak was served at all, to protect the stock. If you fish, take only what you need.

Before you go

• Carry your permit with you.
• Bring cash. We could not confirm an ATM in the village.
• Take your rubbish home with you.
• To fish from a boat, ask a local operator. See the boat operators directory.
• If you would rather eat fish than catch it, see the restaurant directory.