Fishing Places in Romania - Danube Delta

The Crisan-Caraorman channel

This channel was finalized at the beginning of the 80's and was part of a very ambitious project of transforming Caraorman into a major economic center for the Danube Delta. The exploiting of sand hills near the village was wanted. Its large dimensions betray the dictator's intentions of making it a high traffic channel. It was deep initially, but the natural process of clogging has reduced its depth in some places except its last portion where there isn't any stream so there weren't many alluvionary deposits. Its position, almost across the Danube and the fact that the entrance from the Sulina branch is nearly clogged, has also reduced its stream.

The main feature of this channel is the existence along its course of portions where certain species of fish are caught. At the intersection with the Sulina branch in the place where the muddy waters of Danube mingle with clearer waters, sheatfish and zander are caught. Because of the strong stream of the Danube and the channel's position the latter's mouth is always clogged, so periodically digging works are required (one every 2-3 years). The clogging process is so quick that in a period of 10 years an islet has developed and it is continuously growing.

The intersection with the Litcov channel follows. Its waters are clearer and attract predators such as, the rapacious carp, the perch and the zander. Starting from this point, the Crisan-Caraorman channel was digged on the old Litcov channel bed. So, on the left bank where the old weeping willows are, the stream is stronger and has digged deep pits where sheatfish swarm. On the other bank the stream is less strong and there is a gentle slope and rich vegetation that is preffered by carps.

Between the intersection with the Litcov channel and the Iacob channel, the left bank is a bit higher so it attracts many tourists that find it very good for camping. Beside carp and sheatfish one also catch pike but because the water is muddy, I wouldn't recommend the spoon as bait. I'll rather go for live fish. The bream and the crucian are other species that are caught on a regular basis all along the course.

There you have the best place for catfish at the intersection with the Iacob channel. In this place, a natural pit has formed and it attracts many fishermen during the fishing season. The Iacob channel is quite short, so that makes it very circulated by fish that are looking for food. There are even periods when on this channels one can catch 10 kg carps and very nice zanders too. Iacob is a big lake with many reed islets, and among other things it is famous for the zanders that are caught there.

At a distance of aproximatively 800 m of the Iacob channel, the intersection with the Vatafu channel is encountered. The rapid stream of the Vatafu channel attracts rapacious fish, such as the zander, the perch and the rapacious carp.

At about 1.5 km from its end, all the flow is undertaken by 2 channels, so the rest of the Crisan-Caraorman channel lacks stream. In this place, called by the locals (at the transformer) another deep pit has formed where one can fish for sheatfish. In this triple intersection, the perch and bream are very well caught. One of the three channels leads to the fishery and then to the Puiu lake. The other channel goes around the old pond and gets to Puiulet. On the latter, at about 100 m downstream, there is another pit where sheatfish is caught. On the last portion of the Crisan-Caraorman channel there is an area with still waters where pike can be caught and it goes for the spoon.

At the end of the channel there is a deeper and larger place, also known as the Caraorman Basin, where due to the lack of stream the pike, carp, crucian, rapacious carp, perch and red bream are caught.

The Puiulet, Lumina, Puiu,Vatafu, Rotund lakes

The Puiulet lake

Puiulet lake is a medium sized lake quite deep (approximately 2 m) with reed islets all over it, which often block channel entrances. But because of its closeness to the village, the fishermen prefer it and at the same time they are watching the reed islets very closely as they could destroy their fishing tackle.

For the recreative fishermen, this lake is important for the pikes and perch that live in its waters. It is one of the most appreciated fishing places, as it has been for about 5 or 6 years that pike is caught on spoon here. In its best years, about 2-3 years ago, the pike used to bite in almost every place of the lake. Now, however, the fishing area has been restricted, and the pike is present only in some places. So on the north side of the lake, very close to its lake sides there is a portion of clearer water. In the same area called "Papurova" very good results on pike catching were registered. And also on the west lake side there is a good fishing place.

Nice perches are also caught either at a spinners or at fish pieces. In the fall of 2001, the perch used to go for anything mostly at the mouth of the channel (towards Caraorman). Huge amounts were caught at any bait: oscillant, spinner, worm, fish pieces, twister. Among the sensational captures of the Puiulet lake is a 9 kilo pike caught at oscillant.

The Lumina lake

The Lumina lake is a very large and deep lake, where reed islets often change the configuration of the lake side. It is in this area that the reed islets are the most developed in the whole Danube Delta.

Because it is very large, there are a few distinct areas on the Lumina lake where pikes are caught. The most famous and appreciated place is called "Iasencova" and it is on the north side of the lake, where the water is clear and there is clubmoss. Then there is the west side of the lake, especially in the small gulfs that are here. Another important place is the end of the channel that connects the Lumina lake with the Puiulet lake. It is in this area that in 2001 the reed islets have closed a part of the gulf that this channel flows into forming a flood patch where pike was caught quite successfully.

When large reed islets (over 1 000 m²) agglomerate in one part of the lake they form flood patches that are worth the shot.

The Puiu lake

The Puiu lake is a large and deep lake, which surprisingly doesn't have reed islets. Because it has links with many large lakes as: Lumina, Rosu and Erenciuc, one can fish many species of fish here: carp, catfish, pike, zander, etc. The carps' sheatfish's and zanders' favorite place is the south part of the channel. The water of this lake is muddy, that is why pike can't really be fished at spoon, but it's worth to try as exceptions have been registered.

The Vatafu lake or "Bejan"

The Vatafu channel goes through a quite large floodable area, passing many lakes and in the end it flows in the lake with the same name. Vatafu lake isn't very large, but it is quite deep, full of reed islets and of area where the clear water attracts many pikes. One of the places where pike is caught is the north side of the lake where the water is clear.

The Doha flood patch

The Doha flood patch is quite shallow and has a long shape, being crossed by the Vatafu channel. This ensures a good oxygenating of the water, and together with the safety provided by the depth of the channel water, this flood patch is frequented especially by pikes.

The Rotund lake

The Rotund lake is shallow and small enough in order to discourage any fishermen. But in 2002 in the north eastern gulf of the lake where water is less muddy, in the place called "Ulianova" by the fishermen, important amounts of pike were caught. It shouldn't be that surprising, as the Rotund lake communicates with Puiulet lake through a channel that flows exactly from the famous pike place "Papurova".

The Perivolovca channel and the lakes around it

The Perivolovca channel

Perivolovca has a crisp course and it flows from north to south crossing the Danube, that is why the stream is very weak. The connection with the Danube on the south and with Litcov channel in the north ensure a constant refreshing of the water, being a good place for the fish that leave flood patches during summer because of the heat and the shallow waters. One can enter many lakes from Perivolovca: The Cuibul cu Lebede, Chiril, Lebedea, Isac, Gorgostel, Taranova lakes and many flood patches. Due to the rich vegetation (water lilies, reed, weeping willows on the borders), to the moderate stream, the connection to many lakes and flood patches, one can catch many species of fishing this channel, such as: zander, sheatfish, carp, pike, crucian, perch, rapacious carp and bream. It is extremely intresting that water from Perivolovca flows in the north to the Litcov channel and in south to the Sf. Gheorghe branch. Rapacious fish such as zander, perch and rapacious carp are attracted by the place where the clear water of Perivolovca mingle with the muddy waters of the Sf. Gheorghe branch.

The Chiril lake - "Chirilova"

It is a lake of medium surface, quite shallow where pike is very well caught at spoon. Around it, these are many flood patches with small depth, especially preferred by pike. The most advisable area for pike fishing is the east side of the lake near to the channel that connects it with the Gorgostel lake.

Then there is the northern area, although in the summer of 1998 pike was very well caught in any part of the lake. The main access is from the Perivolovca channel though a flood patch. There are other and more difficult ways, but much closer to Caraorman.

One of the ways used by the Caraorman fishermen is called „seica” and is formed of these flood patches makes the way through these to be a real exotic adventure. Do not venture on these ways without a guide as there are reed islets that can close the way at a single wind blow in the wrong direction. There are marks left by fishermen, a bent reed, knots of mace reed, which can't be noticed by an inexperienced eye.

The Cuibul cu Lebede (Swan's Nest)

As the name suggests (Swan's Nest) is an excellent place for birdwarching, and it is at the same time a very good place for pike fishing. In the most draughty periods there are areas where the water level is about 1 m, therefore the water vegetation is very rich, especially hornwort, but on the lake sides there are also waterlillies. The main entrance is from a flood patch and then in the south-west side of it there is also an entrance in the Cuibul cu Lebede lake. Depending on the water level, there are also about four places where one can enter this lake, but only under a guide's surveillance. The most advisable area for pike fishing seems to be the south-east side.

The Gorgostel lake

The meander shape of this lake is testimony to the origin of this lake, which used to be a branch of the Danube, which has clogged. The two flood patches that make the connection with The Perivolovca and the Chiril lake makes this area to be a transit place for the fish. Its sides are invaded by vegetation, there aren't any reed islets and the waterlilies on the sides are another clue for pike.

The Lebedea lake - "Lobodencova"

Lebedea is a small lake which the locals considered it a flood patch due to its small dimensions. Its long shape makes it susceptible of being a former Danube branch which has been clogged. It is a place where pike is caught at spoon. The access is from the Perivolovca.

The Militarova flood patch

Militarova and Harasimova were once part of the Isac lake but with time the vegetation has isolated these flood patches from the rest of the lake.

Militarova is a flood patch visited by very many birds, especially, swans and pelicans which find lots of food here. Pikes are attracted by the clear water, the huge amount of waterlilies and aquatic vegetation, although water depth is quite small. The access way isn't very complicated and is made from the Perivolovca, but if you want to fish in Militarova, you need a guide.

Channels-Danube Delta

The Litcov, Vatafu, Puiu-Rosu, Puiulet-Lumina channels

The Danube's branches, the lakes and the channels in the Danube Delta generally represent a hide-out of fish in the difficult periods, in the summer time when the water level is low. The muddy areas between 0 and 1 m over sea level represent 55% of the Delta's surfaces and are looked for in the flood periods by certain species of fish: carp, pike, crucian and tench. When the waters receed, all the fish in this area migrate to deeper areas: channels and lakes. Many species of fish change their area, passing from one lake to another through channels and the Danube's braches. This migration is produced because of many things such as: the search for food, the low quality and shallowness of waters, etc.

The Litcov channel

With its banks bordered by weeping willows and its sinuous course, the Litcov channel is an extreme beauty. It is the longest channel in the Danube Delta (54 km) and it flows into Danube's oldest and most beautiful branch, Sf. Gheorghe. It flows through an area full of lakes and flood patches ensuring the access to these areas. The same as Perivolovca and others channels, in the summer time when the water level is low, the fish find refuge in the deepest channel with the most oxygenated waters. Unlike Perivolovca with which it crosses, the course of this channel is from west to east, in the same direction as Danube's flow, that is why the stream is stronger. Fishing places are all over it, but the intersection with other channels are preffered by fish such as zander, rapacious carp, perch, bream, in the areas with less stream, carp can be caught and in the deeper areas, sheatfish can be caught.

Near by the intersection with the Crisan-Caraorman channel, deep pit was formed (right under the high voltage wires that cross the channel). This place is very good for catfish fishing. Aproximatively 50 m downstream there is the intersection with the Suez channel, this is a shallow area where carp can be caught. Then, about 300 m away the clear waters of the Litcov channel mingle with the muddy waters of the Crisan-Caraorman Channel.

The Vatafu channel

It is a long channel and being almost parallel with the Sulina branch, the stream is very strong. It intersects many channels, crossing an area full of lakes and flood patches and it has direct connection with some of them (see Vatafu lake and Doha flood patch). You can fish zander, sheat fish, carp, perch and bream all along its course.

The Puiu-Rosu channel

It is a very deep channel and very circulated by fish. Rosu and Puiu are very deep lakes with an important fishing potential and the channel between them, parallel to the Danube flow, has a strong stream, that oxygenates water and attracts very many species of fish. On its bank you can find the Rosu tourist halt, where tourists have fished a huge amount of carp with lure such as polenta, corn beans.

The Puiulet-Lumina channel

It is situated between the Lumina and Puiulet lake and it is quite short. It has areas where its banks are formed by reed islets under which, it shelter fish such as: catfish, carp and crucian. At the mouth of the channel, reed islets can close the access, making it very difficult to pass with a bigger motor boat or a ship.

The Puiulet-Rotund channel

The link between the Puiulet and Rotund lakes is much shorter and the banks are totally made by reed islets. It is the channel that hosts most of the fishermen nets. It is a proof of the fishing potential of the area. The entrance from this channel to the Rotund lake was blocked a few years ago by a big reed islet, so in order to be able to pass with boats, the fishermen have to cut their way through it

The Suez channel (on the west side of the sand hills)

They say that in the 70's, near the sand hills which are part of the initial sand belt, a channel was digged for about 12 km, which used to link the Perivolovca with the Litcov channel. It was said that Ceausescu wanted to change a large surface between the Perivolovca and this channel into a rice plantation. This area comprised a floodable region where a rich vegetation has developed a few flood patches and shallow lakes: The Cuibul cu Lebede, Chiril, Lebedea lakes, etc. As a reaction to the dictator's absurd plans this channel was ironically called "Suez" by the locals.

Due to its course (cross the Danube) looking like the Perivolovca channel to which it is almost parallel, there are two distinct portions on the channel, that is the north side with a low stream, its waters flowing to Litcov channel and the south side where there isn't any stream at all. In the north side there isn't almost any stream, making it possible under certain conditions for pike to be caught. In the south area the lack of stream has provoked an explosive development of the vegetation especially in the shallow areas which led to the forming of natural levels. Although this channel isn't older than 30 years, the natural clogging process has lead to the fact that there are levels, once very good for fishing, to be now full of aquatic vegetation, and the navigation to be very difficult (impossible to pass with a motor boat).

These levels (about 300-500 m long) delimitate 4 or 5 deeper areas (2-4 m) with clear water and rich vegetation of water lilies, hormwort and reed which have created an ideal habitat for the pike. During the flooding periods (spring) the channel has a connection through which the fish circulate to the Chiril lake, a lake where pike feeds.

The body is long and covered by extremely small scales, and is grey green. It lives in the fresh clear waters. Its usual weight is of 500-800 grams and minimum size of the caught tench is of 25 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: the worm, bread.
Fishing places in the Danube Delta - Caraorman: in fish ponds, in stuck channels or those which lack stream, such as Crisan-Caraorman.
Fishing period: Starting from June and up to October.

The body of the bream is very flat. It generally feeds on the bottom of lakes in deep places. Its usual weight is of 0.50-1 kilo and the minimum size of the caught one is of 25 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: the worm, polenta, bread.
Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: it is fished on the bottom of the channel, at the confluence of the channels, such as Crisan-Caraorman.
Fishing period: Starting from June and up to October.

The name of this fish comes from the red color of its fins. The body is long and flat, its scales are silvery. It is a fish, member of the cyprinid family. The reproduction takes place in April - May. The usual weight is of 300-400 grams and the minimum size of the caught red surmullet is of 15 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: the worm, polenta, bread.
Fishing places in the Danube Delta – Caraorman: clear water Crisan-Caraorman, but also at the confluence of muddy stream with clear stream.
Fishing period: Starting from June and up to October.

It is easily recognizable by its specific colors and by its back fin which is very stingy. Is a very greedy fish, with a large mouth and small teeth. The reproduction takes place in March - May. It usually reaches the weight of 500 grams and the minimum size of a caught perch is of 12 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: is the worm, the spinner, twister, leech pieces, fry, frog.
Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: It is usually fished at the confluences of channels, where two streams meet, where the muddy water mingles with clear water channels, such as Crisan-Caraorman.
Fishing period: the perch is successfully fished all through the year, excepting the prohibition period, and the most favourable periods are, as for any predator, the months of autumn. It is very active during winter, too.

It is a predator fish with long and flat body. It has medium sized silvery scales. It is a pretentious fish with short periods of intensive feeding (1-2 hours) and quite exasperating slothfullness moments. The minimum size of a caught rapacious carp is of 30 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: spinners and small oscillators, live fish, twister. It is very suspicious, that is why the line should be very thin: a 0.25 mm wire should do.

Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: usually at the confluences of channels but also in larger lakes channels, like Crisan-Caraorman.Fishing period: During the whole fishing period, but mostly in autumn.

The Crucian (Carassius auratus)

It has a flat body and big silvery scales. A very prolific fish, is largely spread and appreciated for the taste of its meat. The crucian is a very stout fish, that is why we can encounter it in waters with low oxygen level, while other fish can't. It has probably appeared in the Danube Delta by accident following the flood of the 70'. Its usual weight is of 500-800 grams and the minimum size of a caught crucian is of 15 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: the worm, polenta, bread, etc.
Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: it is fished in places with low stream or even lacking stream, such as Crisan-Caraorman.
Fishing period: The same as the carp, starting from June and up to October.

The Crucian Carp

Is veru much similar to the crucian, having the same characteristics, but it rather prefer the clearer and more oxygenated waters. The crucian carp’s body is more flat and dark colored than the crucian’s. Until the 70's when the crucian appeared, the crucian carp used to be a fish aught on a regular basis. The minimum size is of 17 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: worm, polenta, bread crumbs , little worms etc.
Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: In the places with low stream or still waters such as, flooded channels, lakes, marshes.

Fishing period in Delta: just as the crucian’s, starting with June and up till October.

The resemblance of the zander with the pike and the perch is given also by its Latin name lucio and perca. It is grey green and its body is long and round. It has a large mouth and sharp teeth that is why for zander fishing, a string of resistant material is used, as in the case of the pike. The reproduction takes place in April - May. The largest zander fished in the Delta weighed 15 kilos. The minimum size of a caught zander is of 40 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: live fish (fry), pieces of fish, twister, spinner.

Fishing places in the Danube Delta: we can find the zander in the fresh waters of the large lake Puiulet, Lumina but it is generally fished in channels.
Fishing period: During the whole fishing period, especially during fall.

Itis a large fish that can reach weight of 40 kilos. It has a long and flat body covered with big scales. A characteristic feature of the cyprinid family is their mouth with lips that can extend to the shape of a tube, a sign of adaptation to the way of feeding underwater. Its spawning time is in April - May. The optimal temperature is 19⁰C. The minimum sizeof a caught carp is of 35 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: polenta, corn beas, worms, little vorms. For a successfull catch, a very important aspect is the lure with polenta, corn etc.

Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: During the summer, due to the high temperature and the low level of the water, the carp migrates from the shallow lakes to the channels, where it can find fresh water channels. There are also periods when the Crisan-Caraorman channel is full of carp and also moments when it is hard to find.

Fishing period: At the end of  the prohibition period, that is from mid July to October, and if the weather is nice it can also be caught in November. September is considerate to be the best month for carp fishing.

The cat fish is the largest fish in the fresh waters of Romania, the record in the Danube Delta is of 400 kilos. It is a grey fish without scales, its skin being protected by layer of mucus. It has a pair of mustaches on its upper jaw and on its lower jaw it has 4 mustaches used for sensing, which together with the very developed smell are used to compensate the poor eyesight. These are signs of adapting to the deep and muddy waters. The minimum sizeof a caught catfish is of 50 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: In the Delta the frequent lure is the mole cricket, a worm pile, frogs, live bait (fry especially), twister, wobbler and spoon. Artificial lures aren't of real luck.

Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: usually the catfish gets together on the bottom of deep channels in pits, for example in Crisan-Caraorman channel.

Fishing period: During summer the catfish feeds intensively and July is a very good fishing period. During wintertime it goes into pits for winter sleep and its activity decreases as the water temperature decreases.

The predator fish number one, the pike watches still the pray until it comes closer so it can attack at the right time. The spindle-shaped body is perfectly adapted for a striking spurt. The pike has a rapid growth, reaching 15 mm in only three weeks and its sexual maturity at the age of 3 years, when it weighs about 700-800 grams, and it can reach a weight of 20 kilos.

The largest pike caught in the Danube Delta weighed 16 kilos! The reproduction period is after the ice has melted (that is in February-March). The optimal feeding temperature for the pike is 17-18⁰C. There are 8 species of the Esox family of which 6 are in the North America. The minimum size of the caught pike is 40 cm.

The lure used for sport fishing: The most used and efficient lure in the Danube Delta is the oscillator. You can also get good results using wobblers and spinners. An advisable lure when the pike is slothful and when it doesn't bite the spoon, is alive fish.

Fishing places in Danube Delta - Caraorman: The pike generally prefers clear shallow waters with rich vegetation, deeper lakes such as Puiulet, Lumina, shallow and with rich vegetation areas such as flood patches, clogged channels such as Suez, or portions of channels where the lack of stream has led to the clearing of the water Crisan-Caraorman channel.

Fishing period: except the prohibition period that starts on the 1^st of February and lasts for about 2 months, the pike is fished during the whole year. There are periods when they are harder to find: for example in the spring time when the flood elevations are reached and the fish go into the more surfaces, so the pike follows them in these places.

During summer months, due to the vegetation and the large amount of fish sapling, the pike isn't very attracted by the spoons - one usually gets smaller items- while during autumn, when it goes to winter sleep and the hornwort falls on the bottom of the lake, large items are caught. The optimal period for pike is October.