This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 5 2025.
Despite catch quantity dropping by 9.8% since 2023, Hungary’s Lake Balaton still resides at the top of the nation’s fish catch rankings, according to a report from the National Federation of Hungarian Anglers (MOHOSZ). Lake Balaton is a freshwater rift lake located in the nation’s west. It is the largest lake in Central Europe and is the site of both tourism and inland fisheries. The decline in catch quantity is partially attributed to the recent drop in garda, a native fish species that once represented a large percentage of Hungary’s seasonal yield. Today, species such as carp and bream head the list of caught biomass.
Although it is not common for fish restocking to be done in Europe, the process was carried out in 2023 by several Hungarian fishing organisations with the goal of restoring ecological balance, creating diversity, reintroducing native fish species, and partially compensating for the damage caused by cormorants. Extensive restocking in 2023 led to minimal restocking in 2024, which may have contributed to the decline in the recorded total catch.