Do You Need a Fishing Licence for the River Ebro?
Yes. A fishing licence is mandatory for all anglers on the River Ebro — including visiting UK anglers. Fishing without a valid licence is illegal and can result in fines from the Spanish fishing authorities.
The good news: the process is straightforward, the cost is low, and if you book with Caspe Fishing we handle everything for you.
What Type of Licence Do You Need?
Spain operates a regional fishing licence system. The River Ebro runs through the Aragón region, so you need an Aragón regional freshwater fishing licence (licencia de pesca).
This licence covers:
- All freshwater species including Wels catfish, carp, zander, perch, and black bass
- All public stretches of the River Ebro within the Aragón region
- Both bank and boat fishing
The licence does not cover:
- Marine/saltwater fishing (a separate licence)
- Private waters or special permit stretches (your guide will advise)
Unlike a UK Environment Agency rod licence which covers the whole of England and Wales, Spanish licences are region-specific. The Aragón government is the issuing authority for the Ebro around Caspe.
How Much Does the Licence Cost?
Licence costs in Aragón vary depending on duration and whether you're fishing as a tourist:
- Weekly tourist licence: Approximately €15–20 per person
- Annual licence: Approximately €40–60 per person (worth it if you're visiting multiple times)
These prices are indicative and subject to change — we confirm the current cost at the time of booking.
How Do You Get One?
If you're booking a guided trip with Caspe Fishing, you don't need to do anything in advance. We arrange all fishing licences on your behalf. You pay for them on arrival in cash — we'll tell you the exact amount when you book.
If you're fishing independently, licences can be obtained from:
- Local fishing tackle shops in Caspe and surrounding towns
- Online through the Aragón regional government portal (in Spanish — your guide or accommodation host can assist)
- Some fishing holiday operators arrange them in advance
We strongly recommend letting us arrange your licence — it removes any risk of paperwork issues and ensures you're fishing legally from day one.
Other Regulations UK Anglers Should Know
Catch and release: All Wels catfish on the River Ebro must be returned. This is not just best practice — it's enforced. Your guide will have full fish care equipment and will handle the return properly.
Carp: Carp must also be returned on the Ebro. Removal of fish from the water is not permitted.
Fishing hours: The Ebro around Caspe is generally open for fishing 24 hours. Some stretches have restrictions — your guide will advise on the specific rules for wherever you're fishing.
Bait restrictions: Some baits are restricted on Spanish rivers. Livebaiting regulations vary — your guide will advise on what's permitted on your specific stretch.
Night fishing: Permitted on most stretches of the Ebro around Caspe. Popular in summer when catfish feed most actively after dark.
What Happens If You're Caught Without a Licence?
Spanish fishing wardens (guardas de pesca) patrol the Ebro regularly. Fishing without a valid licence risks:
- On-the-spot fines (amounts vary but can be significant)
- Confiscation of tackle
- Being removed from the stretch
It's simply not worth the risk. The licence costs €15–20 and takes minutes to arrange through us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy the licence before I travel? Not easily from the UK — the online system is in Spanish and requires a Spanish tax number for some applications. We arrange it for you on arrival, which is the simplest solution.
Do children need a licence? Under-14s generally fish free in Aragón. Ages 14–18 may have a reduced rate. Check with us at the time of booking for current regulations.
Is my UK Environment Agency licence valid in Spain? No. The UK rod licence is only valid in England and Wales. You need a separate Spanish regional licence for the Ebro.
Does the licence cover all species? The standard Aragón freshwater licence covers all species in the River Ebro including catfish, carp, zander, perch, and black bass.
Book Your Trip — We Handle the Paperwork
When you book with Caspe Fishing, fishing licences are one less thing to think about. We arrange everything so you arrive and fish from day one.
For everything you need to plan your trip, read our complete UK anglers guide and our River Ebro pricing guide.
See our guided packages — from €325pp, open all year.
Book your River Ebro fishing trip →
WhatsApp / Phone: +44 7802 283085 Email: caspecatfishingchaos@gmail.com