Fishing

There are 94 fish species in Serbia, which makes it one of the richest areas in fish species in Europe. 79 fish species are said to be indigenous to the river Danube and its watershed. Some of the fish species living in Serbia’s waters are restricted only to this area or became rare in the rest of Europe: 4 species of sturgeon, sterlet, Danubian salmon, marble trout, European mudminnow, Tracian barbel, whiteeye bream, Danubian roach, moranec, checon, vimba, stripped ruffe, Balon’s ruffe, Volga zander, streber, zingel.

The largest freshwater fish in the world – wells – is abundant in Serbia’s rivers and lakes. There are historical records that the wells used to grow up to 400 kg, but nowadays specimens over 80 kg have become rare and the average weight is usually about 1 kg. The most attractive fishing grounds in Serbia for wells fishing is the Danube (especially in the Iron Gates Gorge), Morava, Tisa and a number of lakes. The best baits for wells are leeches and earth worms, but the biggest specimens are caught on live minnows and pieces of dead fish. The best spots for catching zander are on the Danube around the town of Novi Sad and in the Iron Gates Gorge. They are usually caught on wobblers and silicon minnows. Pike is abundant all over Serbia, especially in canals and ponds in Vojvodina. The best baits are all sorts of streamers and spoons, but the biggest fish is caught on live minnows. Danubian salmon has become rare in the past years, but the Drina still holds a fairly good population of this fish. Carp can be found all over the country, usually in larger rivers, such as: Morava, Tamiš, Danube, Tisa; but it is the most numerous in shallow lakes and canals. Some of the best lakes for fishing trophy carps are: Srebrno Jezero, Ada Safari and all the lakes in the Fruška Gora Mountain. The best bait for catching carp in Srebia is corn. Bighead has become very common in Serbia’s big rivers and catching a 10 kg fish is not unusual. They usually weight about 2-3 kg, but specimens over 30 kg have been recorded. The best places for catching them are: the Sava River (especially around Belgrade), the Danube and Tisa.

Hunting

Serbia is a very attractive country for hunting and has a great variety of available game: red, roe and fallow deer, mouflon, fox, jackal, wild boar, hare, pheasant, partridge, chamois and wild duck. Linx, bear, wolf, wild horse and all species of falcon and eagle are permanently protected in Serbia.

Hunting activities are well organized: all the hunting grounds are easily accessible and have organized hunting service that can provide guidance and accommodation both in hunting loges and hotels.

The most famous hunting grounds in Serbia are: Deli Jovan, Južni Kučaj, Apatin, Karadjordjevo, Kozara and Morović.

The Deli Jovan hunting ground lies within the Iron Gates national park and is accessible from the towns Negotin and Gornji Milanovac. Available game: deer, wild boar, hare, pheasant and partridge. Južni Kučaj lies 250 km from Belgrade and the closest town is ]uprija, where accommodation is available in a local hotel. Available game: deer, fallow deer, doe, wild boar and pheasant. The Apatin hunting ground lies in Vojvodina by the river Danube, 160 km north of Belgrade. The closest town is Apatin, and accommodation available in Makarske Livade hunting lodge. Available game: deer, roe deer, wild duck and wild goose. Karadjordjevo spreads along the left bank of Danube in Vojvodina some 160 km from Belgrade. For centuries it has served as a representative hunting ground for royalty and high statesmen and only recently has become open for the public. Accommodation facilities: luxury class “Dijana” country house and “Vranjak” bungalows. Available game: red deer, fallow deer (210 points), white tailed deer, wild boar (137 points), roe deer, badger (24 points - world champion), hare, mouflon (242 points - world champion), pheasant, wild goose, wild duck. The Kozara hunting ground lies some 180 km north of Belgrade near the town of Sombor in Vojvodina. Accommodation is available in the hunting ground itself, in the “Štrbac” hunting loge. Available game: deer and wild boar. Morović hunting ground is a well forested area lying some 100 km west of Belgrade in Vojvodina. Accommodation is available in hunting loges and bungalows in the hunting ground itself. Most of the game that lives in Serbia can be found in this hunting ground, but it is most famous for its abundance of deer. For those who prefer to observe rather than hunt wild animals the Carska Bara Swamp and the Obedska Bara Bog are just the places to be.