Buying a fishing licence
If you want to fish in Mallorca, you need a fishing licence (Licencia de Pesca Maritima Recreativa Individual). This applies to everyone aged 14 and over, whether resident or tourist. Without a licence you risk fines that can run to several hundred euros depending on the offence.
The good news: you can apply for the licence entirely online. The official point of contact is the Balearic Government website at caib.es/seucaib/es/tramites/tramite/96401. The fee is around 16 EUR and the licence is valid for 3 years. After payment you receive it as a PDF by email.
What you need for the application:
- First and last name
- Date of birth and nationality
- ID number (identity card, passport or NIE - Numero de Identidad de Extranjero)
- Address and contact details
- Email address (the licence will be sent there)
The website is in Spanish. If you do not speak Spanish, there are German-language intermediaries such as spanien-angelschein.de who can handle the application for you. This costs a little more (approx. 30-40 EUR), but everything is in German and processing is quick.
Important: The licence is only valid together with your identity card or passport. Always carry both when you are at the water. Inspections do happen, especially at popular fishing spots and near nature reserves.
For people over 65, the licence is free. This applies to residents who can show their NIE.
Types of fishing in Mallorca
Mallorca offers several ways to try your luck at the water.
Shore fishing (Pesca desde costa): The most popular type. You stand on the coast, on rocks or on a pier and cast your line. Mallorca has over 500 km of coastline with countless spots where you can fish from the shore. The rocky sections are particularly productive.
Surf casting: You cast from a sandy beach far out to sea. You need a longer rod (3.5-4.5 m) and heavier weights. Es Trenc and the beaches in the south are well suited to this.
Lure fishing: Using artificial lures (spinners, plugs, soft plastics) on rocks or piers to target predatory fish such as sea bass, bluefish or barracuda. Particularly effective in the morning and evening.
Underwater fishing (Pesca submarina): Spearfishing with a harpoon is permitted in Mallorca, but requires a separate licence and a minimum age of 16. Strict rules apply and certain areas are completely closed.
Boat fishing: From your own or a chartered boat. For this you need an additional boat licence (Licencia de Pesca Recreativa de Embarcacion). More on this further below.
Popular fishing spots
Mallorca has a varied coastline with many good fishing spots. Here is a selection of the most popular:
Cala Figuera (south-east): A calm rocky cove with clear water. Good for beginners and experienced anglers alike. Sea bream, gilt-head bream and squid bite here.
Cala Ratjada (east coast): The rocky coast around the lighthouse offers deep water right at the shore. Good for sea bass and grouper. The harbour is suitable for beginners.
Porto Cristo (east coast): The pier and surrounding rocks are easy to reach and offer good conditions. Family-friendly with nearby parking.
Es Trenc (south): One of the best beaches for surf casting. The long, flat sandy beach is ideal for long casts. Chances of catching gilt-head bream are good in the evenings and at night.
Colonia de Sant Jordi (south): The pier and the rocks offshore are very popular with locals. A good spot for bream and squid.
Estellencs (west): Wild, rocky coast with deep water. Larger fish are possible here, but access can be difficult in places. For experienced anglers only.
Sa Bassa Blanca / Alcudia (north): The Bay of Alcudia offers both beach and rock fishing. Near the harbour pier there are often shoals of smaller fish that attract predators.
Palma and surroundings: The port of Palma, the piers along the Playa de Palma and the rocks towards Portals Nous. Convenient if you live in Palma and do not want a long drive.
Fish species
More than 60 species of fish live in the sea around Mallorca and can be caught from the shore. Here are the most common:
Sea bream (Sargo, Dorada, Oblada): The classics of shore fishing. There are various types: gilt-head bream (Dorada), two-banded bream, annular bream, white bream and saddled bream. They bite on natural bait and are found particularly along rocky stretches of coast.
Sea bass (Lubina): One of the most sought-after fish in the Mediterranean. Prefers rocky coasts with surf. Bites on artificial and natural bait. Best time: autumn and winter.
Gilt-head bream (Dorada): A highlight for any angler. They can weigh up to 5 kg and fight hard. The best fishing time is September to December, especially in the evenings and at night.
Squid and cuttlefish (Sepia, Calamar): Caught from piers and harbour walls with special squid jigs. Best time: autumn and winter, especially at night with a light.
Barracuda: In the summer months barracuda come close to the coast. They hunt in shoals and bite aggressively on artificial lures.
Grouper (Mero): The king of the rocks. Lives in caves and crevices and can grow very large. Note: strict minimum sizes apply for catching grouper.
Scorpionfish (Escorpora): Common along rocky coasts. Take care when handling it - the spines are venomous. Despite this, it is an excellent table fish.
Best time of year
You can fish in Mallorca all year round, but conditions vary considerably.
Spring (March to May): Excellent. The water temperature rises and many fish species become active. Bream, sea bass and the first barracuda are easy to catch. Comfortable temperatures for fishing.
Summer (June to August): It is often too hot to fish during the day (35 degrees and above). However, night fishing is an absolute insider tip in summer. Many fish, especially gilt-head bream and sea bass, only become really active after dark. The warm summer nights by the sea are a special experience.
Autumn (September to November): The best time for fishing. The water is still warm, the tourist crowds have gone and the fish are feeding up their reserves for winter. Gilt-head bream and sea bream bite best now.
Winter (December to February): Quieter, but by no means bad. Sea bass and squid can be caught well. On mild days it is pleasant by the water - just stay at home in a storm.
Gear and bait
For beginners simple gear is enough. A telescopic rod (3-4 m), a medium fixed-spool reel and a 0.30 mm line are sufficient to start. In fishing shops in Mallorca (for example in Palma, Manacor or Inca) you can get starter sets from 30-60 EUR.
Natural bait is most effective in Mallorca. Most fish bite on:
- Worms (Gusanos): The universal bait. Various types (Americano, Coreano) are available in every tackle shop.
- Sardines and pieces of sardine: Cheap and effective, especially for bream.
- Pieces of squid: Tough on the hook, stays on long and attracts many species.
- Prawns: Fresh or frozen, very popular with gilt-head bream.
- Mussels: Collect them on the spot (for personal use only) and use them as bait.
Artificial lures work well for predatory fish. Spinners, plugs and soft plastics in 5-12 cm lengths are a good choice for sea bass and barracuda.
Fishing tackle shops can be found in almost every larger town in Mallorca. Palma has the widest selection. The staff are usually anglers themselves and are happy to give tips on local spots and bait.
Rules and restrictions
There are clear rules for recreational anglers in Mallorca. Anyone who ignores them risks fines.
General rules:
- Maximum 2 rods per person for shore fishing
- Catch limit: maximum 5 kg of fish per person per day (plus one individual fish weighing more than 5 kg)
- Observe minimum sizes (vary by species, e.g. gilt-head bream at least 20 cm)
- Fishing with live bait fish is prohibited
- No fishing in harbours, except in specifically designated areas
Protected areas: Fishing is completely or partially prohibited in several marine protected areas. These include the Cabrera Marine National Park, parts of the Bay of Palma and some marine reserves on the north and east coasts. Find out beforehand whether your spot is in a protected zone.
Closed seasons: Seasonal fishing bans apply to some fish species. These are set annually by the Balearic Government. The current regulations can be found on the website of the Direccio General de Pesca.
Night fishing: Generally permitted as long as you have a valid licence. However, be aware that stricter rules often apply at night in nature reserves.
Boat fishing
If you want to fish from a boat, you need an additional boat licence (Licencia de Pesca Recreativa de Embarcacion). You also apply for this via the Balearic Government website.
Charter boats are the easiest option if you do not have your own boat. Many providers in Mallorca offer half-day or full-day trips (from approx. 300-600 EUR per boat for 4-6 people). Skipper, equipment and licence are usually included. Popular departure ports are Palma, Port d'Alcudia and Cala Ratjada.
From a boat you have access to species that are barely reachable from the shore: tuna, swordfish, mahi-mahi and larger grouper. Big game fishing is possible in Mallorca, especially in the deeper waters south of the island.
Kayak fishing is growing in popularity. From a kayak you only need the normal shore licence (no boat licence), as long as you stay in coastal waters.
Summary
Fishing in Mallorca is varied and possible all year round. The fishing licence is inexpensive, quick to apply for and valid for 3 years. Most importantly: apply for the licence before your first fishing day. The quickest way is directly via the official Balearic Government website.
Whether you are waiting for gilt-head bream at a quiet rocky cove in the evening or spinning for sea bass with lures in the morning, the island has something for every angler. You can find more outdoor activities in our article on Leisure and Sport in Mallorca.