Our company called Balaton Fish Management Non-Profit Ltd was founded on 25 August 2009 but its predecessor company had been working on Lake Balaton since 1899.

Balaton Fish Management Non-Profit Ltd is the property of the Hungarian State in 100 %.

The main task of our company is the ecological fish management on Lake Balaton. Our first aim is to provide the optimal catch rate for the anglers, in the case of fish species popular among them. On the other hand the variety of fish species must also be kept. Furthermore, the protection of natural values and the conditions of quality tourism are equally important.

Introduction

 

The fish catch record book is a document regulated by the Law of Fishing and it has to be issued together with the Area licence by the organization entitled to fish on the particular water.

The fish catch record book is numbered and it has got the same form for anglers having either yearly or day fishing licence.

The aim of the fish catch record book is – besides the record of caught fish – to have more detailed information about caught fish and anglers’ habits on Lake Balaton.

Moreover, the fish catch record book helps fishing guards’ job.

We know that keeping records in the fish catch record book is an extra task for anglers. However, we hope that it does not cause a problem for honest anglers.

Please read the instructions carefully before recording the data.

 

Thank you for your help and understanding.

 

FISHING REGULATIONS ON LAKE BALATON

 

Valid: From the 10th of January 2024 for all fishery water areas utilized for angling purposes by the fishing organization

[Lake Balaton and its water system, and the Kis-Balaton reservoir no. 1]

 

Fishing on Lake Balaton and its water system is performed by Balaton Fish Management Non-Profit Ltd.(1 Horgony street, Siófok, 8600). Anglers on Lake Balaton must be aware and keep the stricter local Balaton Fishing Regulations in addition to the valid state regulations. Not knowing the rules means no exemption from the consequences. The entire local fishing order can be read on www.balatonihal.hu, in addition we have attached an extract of the angling order (EAO) to each Area ticket, containing only the relevant points of the fishing order regarding specifically the angler who has purchased it. For this reason, the numbering of the II. chapter of the EAO is not continuous and the chapters VI. and VIII. can only be read in the unified local fishing order. 

 

I. General regulatory directives

 

1. The angler is obliged to be familiar with the Act CII. of the year 2013 and the MRD (Ministry of Rural Development) Statute No.133/2013. (XII. 29.), as well as the Balaton Fishing Regulations before proceeding with the angling and to observe those throughout the angling.

2. In case of violation of the Act CII. of the year 2013 or the Statute 133/2013. (XII. 29.) MRD, the Area ticket will be withdrawn in each case, but may be withdrawn in case of violation of the Balaton Fishing Regulations and the National Angling Order as well!

3. By purchasing an Area ticket, the owner gives consent for the audio/video recording of his/her angling activities by the fishing guards performing their duties. The recordings will be handled in accordance with legal regulations.

4. By purchasing an Area ticket, you have entered into a civil contract with Balaton Halgazdálkodási Nonprofit Ltd., and agreed the handling of your personal data in compliance with data protection laws. The Area ticket is valid exclusively for angling!

5. If you notice any irregularities, please report it to the contact details listed below:

water bailiff notifier SMS: 06 30 3503333, e-mail: halorzes@balatonihal.hu

We guarantee the anonymity of the applicant!

6. There are fish labeling surveys underway in the Balaton’s water catchment areas. If you catch a labeled fish, please send the following data to our address: the weight and length of the fish, the place and time of the catch, as well as the label. If you are sending the data via e-mail, a photo of the fish and the label suffices, if the numbering is legible. Data senders will be rewarded.

 

II. Special angling regulations

 

a) Privileges associated with ticket types

 

7. The General Area ticket entitles the angler for angling on the whole surface of Lake Balaton out of vessels classified by navigation regulations as recreational crafts or from a watercraft belonging to a higher category (with a registration number), and of course from a rowboat, as well for shoreside angling.

Angling or keeping angling gear on board of any watercraft without a registration number, that leaves the coastline by1,500-meters is allowed only by being in posession of a General Area ticket.

8. The Watercraft ticket is valid for angling on Lake Balaton, as far as 1500 meters from the shore, from a pier or from a watercraft without a registration number.

9. The adult Shore ticket entitles you to angle from the shore, from a pier (also free-standing piers) and while wading in the water. The entitlements of the Shore tickets for seniors over 65 and youth Shore tickets are the same as those of the Watercraft tickets.

10. In addition to the above, all general, Watercraft and Shore tickets are valid on the following angling areas of Lake Balaton and its water system (water area code: 14-002-2-1):

On the inflowing waters from the estuary of Lake Balaton on the following stretches:

-on the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) up to the Határkülvíz Canal (Csömendi Trench) estuary and also on Sári- és Cigány-belvízcsatorna (Sári Inland Canal and the Cigány Inland Canal) between the road to Somogyszentpál and the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Canal).

-on the Zala River up to the railway bridge of Fenékpuszta

-on the Hévíz-canal from the estuary to the 50 m downstream section measured from the sluice of the lake, on the Páhoki canal from the estuary to the Hévíz canal

Furthermore on the Kis-Balaton (Small Balaton) Reservoir nr 1. (water area code: 20-019-2-1), on both sides of the road between Zalavár and Zalaszabar, on the south bank of the Zala Riverbed from the inflow of the Bárándi-patak (Bárándi Stream)  up to the barrier situated 50 metres under the Zalavári hid (Zalavár Bridge), as well as on the Babos-sziget (Babos-Island) and on the Kányavári-sziget (Kányavári-Island).

-on the Egyesített-övcsatorna (United Belt Canal) from the Bárkázó-híd (Barge Bridge) to the influence of the Gyöngyös stream,

-on the Fenyvesi-nyomócsatorna (Fenyvesi pressure canal) to the pump house,

- on the Keleti-Bozót-csatorna (Eastern Bush Canal) to the bridge between Lengyeltóti and Buzsák,

-on the Jamai-patak (Jamai stream) to the drainage sluice of the fishpond in Bugaszeg,

- on the Tetves-patak (Tetves stream) to the drainage sluice of the fishponds of Balatonlelle,

- on the Kismetszés stream to the main road No. 70,

- on the Nagymetszés stream to the wooden bridge in Szólád,

- on the Lesence, Kétöles, Tapolca, Egervíz and Burnót streams and on the Egermalom canal up to the main road No. 71

- On the Határkülvíz-csatorna (Határkülvíz Canal) also known as Csömendi-árok (Csömendi Trench) from the influence to the Nyugati-övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) to the bridge between Nikla and Csömend, except the Nagybereki Fehér-víz nature reserve area.

- Furthermore, on the Kis-Balaton Reservoir No. I (water area code: 20-019-2-1) on both sides of the road between Zalavár and Zalaszabar; on the eastern shore of the old Zala riverbed from the influence of the Bárándi stream to the barrier 50 m below the Zalavár bridge, and on Babos-sziget (Babos Island) and Kányavári-sziget (Kányavári Island).

Further details about the above mentioned angling sites, ticket office locations and other useful informations can be found marked on the map at www.adatbazis.balatonihal.hu.

 

11. The Carry in/drop the rig weekly and 72 hours Area ticket entitles the angler to practice the carry in/drop the rig from the shore or from a platform standing in the water with compliance of the regulation of this method, annexed to the ticket. These tickets do not entitle the angler for keeping any fish!

12. The Additional 24 hour or 72 hour tickets can only be purchased by an angler in possession of an Annual Watercraft or an Annual Shore ticket and these are valid only together with an Annual ticket. The catch quota of the recreational Annual ticket holder is not affected by the purchased additional ticket.

13. The Kis-Balaton (Small Balaton) Annual Area ticket is valid for the Kis-Balaton reservoir no. 1 shoreside areas stated in point 10.

14. The Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Canal) Annual Area ticket is valid for the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) from the Rákóczi Ferenc street bridge up to the Határkülvíz Canal (Csömendi Trench) estuary and also on Sári- és Cigány-belvízcsatorna (Sári Inland Canal and the Cigány Inland Canal) between the road to Somogyszentpál and the Nyugati övcsatorna (Western Canal) and also on the Határkülvíz-csatorna (Határkülvíz Canal) also known as Csömendi-árok (Csömendi Trench) from the influence to the Nyugati-övcsatorna (Western Belt Canal) to the bridge between Nikla and Csömend, except the Nagybereki Fehér-víz nature reserve area.

15. The territorial validity of tourists’ Area tickets is the same as of the Shore tickets. The tourists’ Area ticket can only be purchased by an angler possessing an Annual National Tourists’ Licence. Furthermore the Annual National Tourist Licence holder can only be served with a tourists’ Area ticket.

16. The angler who has purchased an adult Area ticket may use at the same time two rods. For adult anglers the daily quota of the species protected with a size limit is 5 pieces altogether but no more than 3 pieces of each species. In case of species without a size limit a total quantity of 10 kg per day is allowed to catch.

17. The angler who has purchased a junior Area ticket or a tourists’ ticket may use one rod at a time. For junior anglers the daily quota of the species protected with a size limit is 3 pieces altogether but no more than 2 pieces of each species. In case of species without a size limit a total quantity of 5 kg per day is allowed to catch.

18. The angler who has purchased a children’s Area ticket may use one rod at a time. For children anglers the daily quota of the species protected with a size limit is 1 piece. In case of species without a size limit a total quantity of 3 kg per day is allowed to catch. Children's tickets are considered Shore tickets, however, if the accompanying adult has a Watercraft ticket, General Area -, or Carry in/drop the rig ticket, the Children's ticket holder can fish with the same rights as him/her.

19. Apart from the fishing tackle, the angler is allowed to use one “umbrella-style” baitfish lifting net with a surface of a maximum 1 m2, required for the gathering of catchable baitfish not exceeding 15 cm that are used solely for angling purposes.

20. You are allowed to catch fish enabled for only one day by the state regulations (in case of youth ticket by local fishing order) when you have a 24-hour Area Licence. 

21. You are allowed to catch fish enabled for only three days by the regulations (in case of youth ticket by local fishing order) when you have a 72-hour Area Licence and you must keep the daily limits according to the regulations.

 

b) Quantitative restrictions, size limits and prohibition periods

 

 22. Adult anglers are annually allowed to keep a total of 100 pieces of the species under number-restriction, of which a total of maximum 60 pieces of predatory fish of which maximum 10 pieces of zander reaching the weight of 5 kg or heavier!

Junior anglers are annually allowed to keep a total of 50 pieces of the species under number-restriction-of which a total of maximum 30 pieces of predatory fish of which maximum 4 pieces of zander reaching the weight of 5 kg or heavier!

Child anglers are annually allowed to keep a total of 20 pieces of the species under number-restriction-of which a total of maximum 10 pieces of predatory fish of which maximum 1 pieces of zander reaching the weight of 5 kg or heavier!

Accurate keeping of the angler's diary is mandatory! The angler is responsible for the accuracy of the entered weight (kg) values. In the event of a discrepancy between the entered and actual weight, the Regional ticket may be withdrawn! The weight value of the zander reaching or exceeding 5 kg must be circled at the same time as the log entry for the purpose of clearly tracing the annual quota.

23. The owners of an Annual Area ticket for the Kis-Balaton (Little Balaton) or an Annual Area Card for the Nyugati övcsatorna (West Belt Canal) are allowed to catch a total of 30 size-restricted fish during the year. After reaching the quota there is no possibility to buy a second card

24. On the Kis-Balaton only one specimen of a raptor fish protected by a bag limit (asp, pike, catfish, volgazander, zander) can be catched per day.

25. By derogation from Act CII. of the year 2013 and the MRD Statute No.133/2013. (XII. 29.) regulations considering size limit, in case of the fish caught in Lake Balaton and its water system the following size limits apply: carp: 35 cm, zander: 35 cm, asp: 45 cm, pike: 45 cm.

26. By derogation from Act CII. of the year 2013 and the MRD Statute No.133/2013. (XII. 29.) regulations considering bag limits, only one piece of asp can be kept per day.

27. It is prohibited to keep any carp measuring more than 70 cm from the tip of the nose to the base of the caudal fin! The angler is obligated to release the fish (after potentially taking some quick photos) gently and immediately.

28. Of zander measuring more than 70 cm from the tip of the nose to the base of the caudal fin it is allowed to keep one specimen per day. The angler is obligated to release any subsequently caught zander measuring more than 70 cm (after potentially taking some quick photos) immediately, in a gentle way.

29. Of pike measuring more than 75 cm from the tip of the nose to the base of the caudal fin it is allowed to keep one specimen per day. The angler is obligated to release any subsequently caught pike measuring more than 75 cm (after potentially taking some quick photos) immediately, in a gentle way.

30. The smallest catchable size of perch is 15 cm, of which it is allowed to keep a maximum quantity of 2 kg per day. (The perch is not included in the annual quota of 100 pieces, but it counts as other fish in the daily allowed maximum of 10 kg of other fish caught.

31. It is prohibited to keep any burbot (Lota lota) caught in Lake Balaton and its water system.

 

Quantity restrictions, size restrictions and closed seasons. Updated according to the fishing regulations at Lake Balaton and the year 2024 calendar

Name of the fish species	Closed season	Size limitation	Bag limit	Other limitations
Pike (Esox lucius)	1st February – 30th April	min. 45 cm	3 pcs	Above 75 cm you can keep 1 piece per day.
Asp (Aspius aspius)	1st March – 30th April	min. 45 cm	1 pcs
Perch (Perca fluviatilis)	1st March – 30th April	min. 15 cm	2 kg
Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca)	1st March – 30th April	min. 35 cm	3 pcs	Above 70 cm you can keep 1 piece per day.
Volga pikeperch (Sander volgensis)	1st March – 28th June	min. 25 cm	3 pcs
Ziege (Pelecus cultratus)	15th April - 31st May	min. 20 cm	3 kg
Common chub (Squalius cephalus)	15h April - 31st May	min. 25 cm	3 kg
Ide (Leuciscus idus)	15th April - 31st May	min. 20 cm	3 kg
Vimba bream (Vimba vimba)	15th April - 31st May	min. 20 cm	3 kg
Common nase (Chondrostoma nasus)	15th April - 31st May	min. 20 cm	3 kg
Barbel (Barbus barbus)	15th April - 31st May	min. 40 cm	3 pcs
Carp (Cyprinus carpio)	2nd May –  31st May	min. 35 cm	3 pcs	All specimens above 70 cm must be released.
Tench (Tinca tinca)	2nd May –  14th June	min. 25 cm	3 pcs
Catfish (Silurus glanis)	2nd May –  14th June	min. 60 cm	3 pcs	The prohibition time of catfish applies to all sizes.
Brown trout (Salmo trutta m. fario)	2nd October –  29th  March	min.  22 cm	3 pcs
Burbot (Lota lota)	Not allowed to catch all year long!

 

c) Seasonal restrictions

 

32. It is prohibited to fish using live bait, dead fish slice or artificial lure on any fishing spot (coast, platforms, on watercraft or wading in the water) and to keep asp, pike, Volga zander, perch and zander between 1st March and 30th April. (Rubber / silicone / styrofoam baits imitating maize or other seeds or pellets are not considered as a lure in case of this point of the fishing order, so their use is authorized for peaceful fish angling.)

33. From 1 April to 30 April, angling from any watercraft (sailboats, boats, etc.), water sports equipment (kayaks, canoes, etc.) and other bathing equipment shall be permitted only under the following restrictions:

• From the shore and from the margin of the coastal reeds, angling is allowed within a maximum of 50 m along the northern shore and within a maximum of 300 m along the southern shore. The two meeting points of the northern and southern coasts: the entrance to the port of Peremarton AA (Peremarton HE) in Balatonkenese (47 ° 02'21.5 ”N; 18 ° 04'15.9” E) and the entrance to the port of the Petroleum Industry Anglers Association in Keszthely (46 ° 43 ' 30.1 "N 17 ° 14'44.8" E). 

• Angling is only allowed between the hours 06:00 and 20:00. The times indicate departure from the port and the time of arrival!

• It is forbidden to keep angling gear on board of a watercraft sailing/navigating on the open waters of Lake Balaton outside the defined coastline!

• Violation of the above is considered a flagrant violation and may result in a 5-year ban on Area ticket purchase!

• The exemption does not apply to the following stretches of shore, where angling is still being allowed exclusively from shore:

◦ along the coastline of the Tihany Peninsula, ie: in Balatonfüred from the mouth of the Aszófő-Séd (46 ° 55'55.4” N; 17 ° 51'36.1” E) to the entrance of the port of the Bozsai AA (46 ° 54'39, 6 "N; 17 ° 49'45.2" E)

◦ in Balatonföldvár from the western pier of the marina (46 ° 51'28.2 "N; 17 ° 52'42.3" E) to the "Irmák holiday beach" in Balatonszárszó (46 ° 50'32.6 "N; 17 ° 51'15.0" E)

 ◦ From the western pier of the marina in Fonyód (46 ° 45'11.0 "N 17 ° 33'08.7" E) to the Fonyód-Bélatelep water abstraction plant (46 ° 44'23.0 "N 17 ° 31'36.9" E)

◦ in Balatonberény from the eastern end of the Napfény promenade (46 ° 42'55.8 "N 17 ° 20'23.3" E) to the Fenékpuszta bird ringing station (46 ° 42'49.8 "N 17 ° 15'02.6" E)

34. From 15 April to 15 June, there is a general ban on angling in the Eastern Bush Canal south of the M7 motorway bridge (ie the upper stretch). Therefore, it is forbidden to stay in the mentioned angling area and on its shore with a device suitable for catching fish!

35. It is forbidden to fish at night (between 10 pm and 4 am) from a craft (including sailing ships, boats, etc.) between 1st November and 31st March. Dates indicate departures from the port as well as the arrivals! This restriction is not placed on shore fishing.

36. Within 50 meters distance from the bridge on river Zala in Zalavár you may fish only by using a single hook, furthermore it is prohibited to fish with the spinning method from 1st December until 30th April.

 

d) Restrictions regarding fishing methods

 

37. The carry in/drop the rig angling method can only be practiced by owners of an a special Area ticket for carry in/drop the rig angling method (annual, weekly or 72 hours ticket) and by following the regulations regarding the method. These are covered in a separate chapter and can be found on the annex of the mentioned tickets and on our website (www.balatonihal/behuzoshorgaszat). Carry in/drop the rig angling is a fishing method whereby the distance between the hook and the fishing rod is not solely determined by the force of the cast and the angler gets his rig in its place by using a device (i.g. boat, feeding boat or other authorized watercraft), or he takes his rig to its place without casting it, by walking in or swimming in the water. Angling by wading in the water, then casting the end tackle is also considered carry in/drop the rig angling while the the average water level of Lake Balaton is above 80 cm (www.hydroinfo.hu).

38. Use of a bait boat is prohibited unless the angler has purchased an Area ticket which entitles him for carry in/drop the rig angling and he has checked in validly.

39. Trolling is allowed only with one rod kept in your hand.

40. On frozen still water surfaces, ice fishing is only possible where it is not prohibited and the ice is at least 10 cm thick, does not melt or move. The angler must clearly mark the fishing hole after finishing the angling.

 

e) Other regulations

 

41. It is compulsory to log in the fish species marked with code numbers in the angler's diary must by using the corresponding code number.

42. Adherence to occasional, periodic fishing bans imposed during fishing competitions is mandatory.

43. It is compulsory to light the angling spot at night and in poor visibility with a light that is visible from every angle.

44. Angling and boating within the protected areas marked with yellow buoys is prohibited! The list of the appointed areas can be found on  www.balatonihal.hu website.

45. Angling from the shore or any platform is forbidden on Lake Balaton from the eastern end of the Örvényes beach towards Tihany, up to the western boundary of the coast of Tihany Yacht Club, except the MOHOSZ stone pier.

46. The sonar (fish finder) can be used throughout the year.

47. The rules for replacing lost tickets can be found in the relevant menu item on the www.balatonihal.hu page.

48. The conditions for granting the prior written consent required for the operation of angling tourism service providers set out in § 23/D of the 2013 CII. Act, can be read in the relevant menu item of the www.balatonihal.hu page.

 

III. Fish protection regulations

 

49. It is prohibited to fish intentionally for any kind of fish, which is below the size limit (in case if the species is protected by size limitation) or which is protected by closed season at the date of the fishing, even if the angler releases the fish! If the angler catches such fishes repeatedly and unintentionally, he/she must switch for another fishing method or fishing place.

50. In case of angling with alive or dead baitfish or fish slices only the use of single hooks is allowed! By the practice of this fishing method it is prohibited the use of double and treble hooks in order to protect undersized fish. The catfish angling methods using live baitfish of at least 15 cm are considered exceptions.

51. Regarding the livefish that you want to release or those that are subject to the quantity limit and must be released: it is forbidden to lay them on the ground, stone or concrete!

52. If you want to take the fish caught in a legal way and protected with a size limit you have to kill it before leaving the angling spot in a quick and humane way. It is illegal to transport living fish. 

53. It is forbidden to replace or release the fish caught and put in a keepnet, on a string or on a metal keeper later. You have to release the fish you want to immediately after the catch. 

54. It is strictly forbidden to sell or financially barter the fish caught. 

55. The catch can not be given away at the shore and the fish intended to be kept can only be stored in one’s own fish storing equipment (fish stringer, keepnet, etc.) 

56. In case of fishing for more days in a row, the angler is allowed to keep in his possession at most the amount of fish that can be kept for 2 calendar days (eg. at most 6 pieces of zander) in the watercraft used for fishing or at the angling place, in case if the angler has caught these fish in compliance with the catch limits and he had booked these in the catch diary, but not longer than 48 hours. 

57. It is prohibited to keep the fish in any kind of keepnet or cage made of metal or wire!

58. It is forbidden to leave cast in fishing rods unattended or entrust their supervision to someone else!

The tackle is considered guarded and supervised in the following cases:

a) The angler is staying within 50 meters of its tackle and at the signal of the bite alarm he can begin to play the fish;

b) The angler is on the water to play the fish, or to release it, or feeding the swim, or to carry in the tackle (if he/she disposes of the authorizing ticket) 

59. On the day of the fish stocking it is prohibited to angle within 300 meters from the area of the stocking.

 

IV. Ethical standards

 

60. The whole basin of Lake Balaton is a waterway is suitable for navigation. Bearing this in mind, the angler may not make any claim of compensation from the driver of the watercraft in case of any damage occuring to his equipment due to the watercraft. The angler – especially who is practicing the carry in/drop the rig method – can minimize the possibility of damage by using the available technical solutions, e.g. line sinkers.

61. During all angling where you can expect to catch large fish (over 5 kg), we ask that you use a fish mattress. In the absence of a fish mattress, any large fish you plan to release, or that is mandatory to be released, are recommended to be placed on wet grass or wet fabric in the case of shore fishing, and in the case of boat fishing, please keep them in a landing net or in your hand always placing them above the water.

 

V. Land use and environmental regulations

 

62. It is illegal to start or continue fishing if there is rubbish on the spot. It is compulsory to leave the angling spot clean after fishing.

63. It is prohibited to process the caught fish on the shore or in the boat.

64. It is compulsory to keep the local port regulations, the local fishing orders and land use regulations posted on the individual coastlines! In case of violation of the port regulations, the Area ticket may be withdrawn!

65. It is only allowed to place a buoy or a picket in the Balaton bed while fishing. The fisherman is obliged to remove these after the end of the fishing session, except for the marker pole not forming an obstacle to navigation.

66. It is prohibited to destroy or damage aquatic plants, plants on the shore or the shore protecting objects.

67. You are not allowed to reserve an angling spot except for the piers with official permission and the privately owned lakeside properties.

 

VI. Special requirements for combined and merged Area tickets

 

68. The national merged Area tickets issued by MOHOSZ qualify as Watercraft tickets regarding the territorial validity and other privileges.

69. Merged Area tickets issued by HOFESZ and RDHSZ qualify as Shore tickets on Lake Balaton.

 

VII. High priority offenses and applicable sanctions

 

70. In case of a blatant or repeated violation, the offending fisherman can be banned from the purchase of the Balaton Area ticket for a longer period of time.

The priority acts justifying the revocation and a ban on purchase of an Area ticket and the degree of prohibition: 

Penalties for flagrant and recurrent violations of the regulations

 

VIII. Final provisions

 

71. The issuer of the Area ticket and the angling organization as a legal entity is not liable for accidents and damages occurring in the areas managed by it and excludes its liability for compensation for damages.

72. Anglers shall use equipment placed on the shore, in angling areas, angling and water facilities solely at their own risk.

73. In other matters not regulated here, the Civil Code, laws on fishing, on fisheries management, on fish protection, environmental and nature protection laws, and a legislation on law enforcement activities and MOHOSZ regulations, as well as the rules of the association's disciplinary regulations shall apply.

 

Siófok, 10.01.2024. 

(Recommendation)

Fishing rules of Balaton must be followed by person, who has bought a Carry-in Area ticket, a special area ticket for carry in/drop the rig angling method (annual, weekly or 72 hours ticket) furthermore he has to comply with the 37th point of the above mentioned rules detailed hereinafter.

Violence of this rule is observed as offending the fishing rules of Balaton and may conclude in withdrawal of your local ticket and banning you from the possibility to purchase local tickets. Our aim is to set clear rules and well-founded circumstances of boilie fishing, and above that to protect enormous carp, which possess unique natural value in a much more efficient way than previously. We also try to make an effort to prevent these huge carp from migrating and being merchandised. The aforementioned aims call for cooperation among the fishermen in this sector, thus a common ground has been built based on our discussions with them to establish the details of practicing this method.

 

1.General regulations

 

1.1. The aim of boilie fishing is to catch, to measure, and to take a photo of non-predatory fish, then releasing them into the water in a humane way.

1.2. By “behúzós horgászat” (here referred to as boilie fishing) we mean the method which enables the angler to deliver the rig into the water with the help of legal vehicles (e.g. boat, bait boat) or to take his rig into the water by swimming or walking without throwing any parts of it, then he’s allowed to wait for the bite on the shore or on the gang-board which is linked to the shore. Walking and casting your rig into the water is also regarded as “behúzós horgászat” (boilie) fishing, until the average water level of Lake Balaton is above 80 cm (www.hydroinfo.hu).

1.3. An angler with a Carry-in ticket  (boilie fishing ticket) is to follow the rules of humane treatment in the case of each and every fish that is caught based on the above mentioned principles.

1.4. Boilie fishing is possible in the following cases:

1.4.1. Organizations (e.g. local governments, camp-sites), which possess or operate real estate on the shore are entitled to mark territories on their own shore for boilie fishing. On these territories appointments are available on boiliebalaton.hu website. From the main page of boiliebalaton.hu you can reach the booking system. The booking system is open and available for everybody.

1.4.2. Owners of the lakeside real estates – in case that they have the necessary area ticket – can fish using the carry in/drop the rig method on their property, but they must comply with a notification commitment. Landlords and landladies who have registered to catch fish legally have the right to let their guests use their territories, although landlords and landladies are also liable for notifying about boilie fishing, and ensure that their guests possess tickets in every case. They are to notify about the exact location (number, street) with GPS coordinates as well as about the exact date and time of the fishing on the website which can be reached from the main page of boiliebalaton.hu.  Violating the rules will conclude in initiating a legal process against the person who has offended the regulations and boilie fishing will not be permitted on the area as a consequence. Booking on the above mentioned properties – according to the intention of landlord or landlady – is primarily private. However they can be part of open booking system according to Owners of properties on the shore who have registered to catch fish legally and have fulfilled the aforementioned responsibilities, hereby contribute for control authorities to approach the fishing location at a time agreed in advance via the landlord’s or landlady’s property.

 

1.4.3. It is possible to go boilie fishing on completely unrestricted public shores in off-season. In such areas it is important to take into consideration that you don’t book places in advance. According to ethics that has previously existed anyone is allowed to take a sit on a free part of the shore and start fishing. As long as someone takes a place, no one else is allowed to claim the area. The obligation of notification for boilie fishing about the location and duration must be granted as well in this case, only after taking the area. Obviously in these areas it is the duty of the angler to live up to the sanitation, and hygiene expectations. You are to gather information about the possibility of staying (living in a tent, sleeping under the sky) on the territory from the operator of public area, and its terms and conditions must be obeyed.

1.4.4. The service provider providing the angling spot can continue it’s activity with prior written consent regulated by the § 23/D of the 2013 CII. Act., the conditions of which can be read in the relevant menu item on the www.balatonihal.hu page.

1.5. Boilie fishing is allowed on completely unrestricted public shores (completely unrestricted beaches) from complete melting of ice to 31May and from 15 September until freezing, 0:00-24:00 hours.

1.6. Violation of the local regulations of the bookable places for carp angling (carry in – drop the rig method) is considered violation of the fishing regulations of Lake Balaton.

1.7. In the event of a blatant violation of the fishing order on a property directly on the waterfront, the practice of the carry-in/drop the rig angling method may be prohibited by indicating the exact coordinates delimiting the given shore section.

1.8. The 7-day area ticket is valid until the end of 168 hours from the date of check-in. The starting time of the check-in can be set on the first day of the ticket's validity period or 1 day before it. For example, on March 1, at 1:00 p.m., the angler will purchase a 7-day boilie fishing ticket that is valid for 7 calendar days, March 2-3-4-5-6-7-8. In this case, the angler can choose to start his check-in on 1 March from 2:00 pm. At that time, the ticket is valid from 2:00 pm on March 1 to 2:00 pm on March 8.

1.9. The boilie angler is obliged to login online before beginning the fishing session. Setting up a marker buoy and feeding the swim are considered part of fishing session as well. When logging in, you have to mark the period spent actually on the lakeside, which period can be at least 1, at most 8 days.

1.10. Putting up a tent, settling a caravan are allowed on the territory belonging to fishing spot within the duration of your valid booking, as long as the owner of the property agrees.

1.11. The boilie angler is obliged to release in Lake Balaton any native fish caught within the period while being checked in. It is prohibited to keep at the angling place the fish caught outside the period of being checked in!

1.12. The angler with a valid check in and a boilie angling seasonal area ticket may not keep any native fish even if he/she is in possession of a „normal” area ticket.

1.13. Every carp caught reaching or over 20 kg must be reported by phone by the carp angler report the catch as described: and store the fish until our colleague arrives:
- IF you have a floating weigh sling and it is possible to store the fish undamaged (the waves does not push the fish to stones or other objects). On weekdays from 08:00 to 16:00, please call +36 30 200 8497. Outside this period, please send an SMS to the same number.

- IF you do not receive feedback within half an hour, the above options are not available, you are obliged to release the fish back to Lake Balaton as soon as possible after a quick photo shoot and weighing. In this case, please take pictures of both sides of the fish and send the pictures, the exact weight and the place and time of the catch (date, hour, minute) to the e-mail address ugyfelszolgalat@balatonihal.hu. (If it is regarding an absolute record on Lake Balaton, be sure to wait for our colleague's feedback.)

1.14. Please inform our company (06 30 350 3333) if you catch a grass carp or a bighead carp and do not wish to keep it we will take care of their transportation.

 

2. Rules of boilie fishing

 

2.1. One angler is allowed to fish with 2 fishing rods, with one single hook per rod. Compulsory principle is to offer boilies and lifeless bait on hair rigs.

2.2. The angler who is younger than 18 years of age can practice the carry in/drop the rig method only under adult supervision.

2.3. From 1st of April to 30th of April and from 1st November to 31th March the angler who has purchased an area ticket which entitles him for carry in/drop the rig angling and has checked in validly, gets an exemption from point no. 33 and 35. of the Fishing Regulation for Lake Balaton. In this period, he is allowed to stay on the water in the following cases:

a) playing or releasing the fish;

b) feeding the swim;

c) searching for an angling spot or carrying the rig to the swim.

2.4. Use of a bait boat is prohibited unless the angler has purchased an area ticket which entitles him for carry in/drop the rig angling and he has checked in validly.

2.5. It is prohibited to use braided main line. Leadcore can be used in the length of not more than 1 m (3 feet). We also ask that all anglers using the carry-in method use a main line with a thickness of at least 0.35 mm, as well as the braided shell-resistant leader line with a thickness of at least 0.50 mm and a maximum length of 40 meters!

2.6. When using a drop off weight rig, the use of a lead weight is prohibited! Lead weight can only be used with inline or running-rig solutions. The side-hanging lead can be semi-fixed sliding, so it can only be left behind in the event of a rupture. The use of different drop off lead clips is not permitted.

2.7. The angler is obliged to try to free the snagged end tackle, and if he does not succeed, he must cut the line as close to the snag as possible, if the weather conditions allow this.

2.8. Fish finders can be used according to the Hhvtv. (fish protection and -management act).

2.9. Exclusively electric motorboats can be used.

2.10. You can catch fish exclusively within the reserved area, which you have booked in advance.

2.11. Tackles can be deployed perpendicular to the shore. Any diversion is allowed within your reserved resort and without disturbing other anglers.

2.12. Every angler is allowed to use two pole markers, which must be illuminated from sunset to sunrise.

2.13. It is not allowed for any other boilie angler to fish within a circle with a radius of 40 meters around the pole marker and within an 80 meters wide area between the bank and the pole marker. (See figure below.) Boilie anglers are not allowed to camp right next to each other in open waterfront public areas (open beaches). No other angler may fish within a radius of 40 meters around the marker pole or between the pole and the shore. (See figure below.) he next boilie fisherman can be at the nearest distance of 40 meters laterally so that a fisherman casting from the shore can also fish. In private areas (campsites, waterfront properties), anglers can sit next to each other in accordance with local land use regulations.

2.14. The deployment of rig can be done by either throwing it in from the shore, carrying it on foot into the water or can be delivered by baitboat and boat.

2.15. The maximum distance to carry in the end tackle can be:

West of the harbor of the Balatonfűzfő Angling Club (Balatonfűzfői Horgász Egyesület) to the harbor of the BHNP Zrt. in Keszthely: 350 meters measured from the coastline of the angling place. 
All other coastlines: 450 meters measured from the coastline of the angling place.

 2.16. It is prohibited to leave the cast in tackle unguarded and to let them supervised by another person!

The tackle is considered guarded and supervised in the following cases:

a) The angler is staying within 50 meters of its tackle and at the signal of the bite alarm he can begin to play the fish;

b) The angler is on the water to play the fish, or to release it, or feeding the swim, or to carry in the tackle (if he/she disposes of the authorizing ticket).

2.17. The whole basin of Lake Balaton is a waterway suitable for navigation. Bearing this in mind, the angler may not make any claim of compensation from the driver of the watercraft in case of any damage occuring to his equipment due to the watercraft. The angler – especially who is practicing the carry in/drop the rig method – can minimize the possibility of damage by using the available technical solutions, e.g. line sinkers.

 

3.  Rules of humane treatment

 

3.1. It is prohibited to take or to keep any native fish! It is also strictly forbidden to store the fish during the night.

3.2. According to the principle of humane treatment the caught fish are to be released immediately after taking a photo and measuring it.

3.3. According to the principle of humane treatment you must possess and use the following equipment:

a) Good quality, water proof, well padded, big sized carp mat with a rigid side, also known as a „carp cradle”. (The fish must be placed on a wet mat!)

b) Dense, min. 90 x 90 cm (35 inch) landing net

3.4. It is forbidden to bring carp under 70 cm ashore! Carps of this size must be released into Lake Balaton immediately after a potential photographing, at the place of capture. After playing a carp from a boat, the fish can be transported to the shore for photoshooting in the following ways:

a) After being unhooked, the carp may be trolled in the carp sack kept in the water in a way that the head of the carp faces the direction of travel.

b) After being unhooked, the carp may be transported put on a rigid sided carp mat and must be constantly watered with fresh water.

c) After arrival to the shore, the fish may only be transferred with a floating weigh sling to a carp cradle with a rigid side wall placed on the waterfront. So it is strictly forbidden to transfer or lift the fish in a landing net to the cradle on the shore without using a floating weigh sling!

3.5. The carp transported to the shore in one of the upper mentioned ways should be immediately and gently released in the water after a quick photoshooting and weighing (if needed).

3.6. If a carp angler with a Carry in ticket catches a fish of another native species (e.g. catfish, pike, zander), after playing it from a boat, the fish must be released after unhooking, it is prohibited to carry those fish to the shore.

3.7. Marking or dismembering of the caught fish is strictly forbidden! If a fish dies as a consequence of angler’s negligence, the operator of the water resort may have a claim for damages equivalent of the value of the fish. Fish caught from the lake can be marked exclusively by the expert of our company with the method according to the usual standards for future gathering of information about migration and growth of the re-caught fish.

 

The photo of the fish caught from the lake can be published on the balatoni ponty-arcképcsarnok (portrait gallery of balaton carp) www.boiliebalaton.hu website. We kindly ask our anglers of Balaton to send us the photos taken of fish weighing more than 20 kg (44 lbs) to the following e-mail address: ugyfelszolgalat@balatonihal.hu We will upload them with pleasure.

 

In matters not regulated in the Boilie Fishing Regulation for Lake Balaton, the current general fishing regulations apply, and for anglers according to the above rule, the provisions of the Code of Ethics published by the Amateur Boilie Anglers' Club are the guiding principles.

 

The fishing regulations enter into force on the 10^th of January 2024.