What is the minimum size for European seabass?

In recreational angling the minimum catch size for European seabass is 25 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

When is European seabass closed to fishing?

There is no closed season specific to European seabass — the regulations set no time ban for this species. Area and gear rules still apply. The limit that applies all year is the minimum size: 25 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.

Which seas is European seabass found in?

In our records European seabass appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, Adriatic — Albania, Ionian Sea — Albania, Bay of Vlorë — Albania, North Aegean & Thrace — Greece, Central & South Aegean — Greece, Ionian Sea — Greece, Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece, Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus, Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus, Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus, Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus, Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus, Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus, Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Mediterranean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Balearic Sea — Spain, Alboran Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain, Strait of Gibraltar — Spain.

In which months is European seabass at its peak?

Peak periods by sea: Ionian Sea — Albania November–March; Adriatic — Albania November–March; Bay of Vlorë — Albania November–March; North Aegean & Thrace — Greece October–April; Central & South Aegean — Greece October–April; Ionian Sea — Greece October–April; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece September–June; Sea of Marmara all year; Black Sea all year; Aegean Sea all year; Mediterranean all year; Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus December–February; Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus December–February; Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus December–February; Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus December–February; Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus December–February; Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus December–February; Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus December–February; Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus December–February; Ligurian Sea — Italy November–March; Sardinian Sea — Italy November–March; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy November–March; Adriatic — Italy November–March; Ionian Sea — Italy November–March; Strait of Sicily — Italy November–March; Mediterranean — Spain November–March; Alboran Sea — Spain November–March; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain November–March; Cantabrian Sea — Spain October–February; Atlantic Ocean — Spain December–April; Balearic Sea — Spain November–March; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain November–March.

Which bait is European seabass caught with?

Baits and lures on record: shrimp, mamun, flathead grey mullet fry, European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, minnow, soft plastic, surface, European sprat, European sardine, sülünez, European squid.

European seabass

Dicentrarchus labrax

Levrek
Deniz levreği

Peak this month Minimum size 25 cm

Family: Moronidae
Order: Eupercaria incertae sedis
Habitat: shore, lagoon, estuary
Seas: Sea of Marmara, Black Sea, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean
Bait: shrimp, mamun, juvenile mullet · minnow, soft plastic, surface lure
Technique: spinning, LRF, bait fishing

European seabass — (c) Ruben Ciantia, some rights reserved (CC BY) · source

Legal status

Türkiye

Minimum size: 25 cm
Maximum quantity: 5 kg

Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7 communiqué text

Greece

Minimum size: 25 cm
Maximum quantity: 5 kg
Closed season: Tür/alan/dönem için daha sıkı kural olabilir

Legal basis: EU 2019/1241 Ek IX + Yunan ulusal mevzuatı communiqué text

Where is European seabass caught?

Peak months by sea.

Black Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: shrimp, mamun, flathead grey mullet fry; regional support: European anchovy / European sprat
Lure: minnow, soft plastic, surface
Technique: Spin

Peak condition range

Wind: 6–24 km/h
Wind direction: onshore
Water temperature: 12–22 °C
Pressure: 1005–1018 hPa
Wave: 0,3–1,2 m

This is a general tendency; it guarantees no catch.

Sea of Marmara

peak this month

Natural bait: shrimp, mamun, flathead grey mullet fry; regional support: European anchovy / Atlantic horse mackerel / shrimp
Lure: minnow, soft plastic, surface
Technique: Spin

Peak condition range

Wind: 6–24 km/h
Wind direction: onshore
Water temperature: 12–22 °C
Pressure: 1005–1018 hPa
Wave: 0,3–1,2 m

This is a general tendency; it guarantees no catch.

Aegean Sea

peak this month

Natural bait: shrimp, mamun, flathead grey mullet fry; regional support: European sardine / mamun / sülünez
Lure: minnow, soft plastic, surface
Technique: Spin

Peak condition range

Wind: 6–24 km/h
Wind direction: onshore
Water temperature: 12–22 °C
Pressure: 1005–1018 hPa
Wave: 0,3–1,2 m

This is a general tendency; it guarantees no catch.

Mediterranean

peak this month

Natural bait: shrimp, mamun, flathead grey mullet fry; regional support: European sardine / European squid / shrimp
Lure: minnow, soft plastic, surface
Technique: Spin

Peak condition range

Wind: 6–24 km/h
Wind direction: onshore
Water temperature: 12–22 °C
Pressure: 1005–1018 hPa
Wave: 0,3–1,2 m

This is a general tendency; it guarantees no catch.

Bait and technique

Habitat: shore, lagoon, estuary
Fishing technique: spinning, LRF, bait fishing
Natural baits: shrimp, mamun, juvenile mullet
Lures: minnow, soft plastic, surface lure

Tackle recipe

A setup to start from. Rod length, line diameter and drag are changed to suit the size of fish you are after and the current and bottom structure of the ground.

Bombarda/Bubble Float

Surface trolling

Casting a light bait or lure far with a clear/bubble float

Level: Beginner–Advanced
Effort: Low–Moderate

Rod: 3.00–4.20 m; 10–50 g
Reel: 2500–4000
Main line: 0.20–0.28 mm mono or PE 0.8–1.2
Leader/trace: 1–2 m; 0.18–0.28 mm
Hook/lure: #10–#4 or garfish rope lure
Bait/lure: Soft plastic worm
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain
Rod: 3.00–4.20 m; 10–50 g
Reel: 2500–4000
Main line: 0.20–0.28 mm mono or PE 0.8–1.2
Leader/trace: 1–2 m; 0.18–0.28 mm
Hook/lure: #10–#4 or garfish rope lure
Bait/lure: YEM0027
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Long rigs snagging behind you

Keep with you: Pliers, hook remover, glasses and first aid

Regulations: Communiqué 2024/21 Article 16 hook and line limits and place bans are checked

Spin

Spinning

Cast-and-retrieve fishing with plugs, spoons and soft plastics

Level: Beginner–Advanced
Effort: Moderate

Rod: 2.40–3.00 m; 5–40 g
Reel: 2500–4000
Main line: PE 0.8–1.5
Leader/trace: 0.28–0.45 mm fluorocarbon
Hook/lure: Single/treble on the lure; check regulations and safety
Bait/lure: Sinking minnow
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain
Rod: 2.40–3.00 m; 5–40 g
Reel: 2500–4000
Main line: PE 0.8–1.5
Leader/trace: 0.28–0.45 mm fluorocarbon
Hook/lure: Single/treble on the lure; check regulations and safety
Bait/lure: YEM0018
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Lure casting path and rocky ground

Keep with you: Pliers, hook remover, glasses and first aid

Regulations: Communiqué 2024/21 Article 16 hook and line limits and place bans are checked

Spin

Spinning

Cast-and-retrieve fishing with plugs, spoons and soft plastics

Level: Beginner–Advanced
Effort: Moderate

Watch out: Lure casting path and rocky ground

Regulations: Güncel Yunanistan ve AB mevzuatı kontrol edilir

Saltwater Fly

Shore fly fishing

Surface and shallow-water fishing with artificial flies/streamers

Level: Advanced
Effort: Low

Rod: #6–#10 class; around 2.70 m
Reel: Saltwater fly reel
Main line: Floating/intermediate fly line
Leader/trace: 0.25–0.45 mm tapered leader
Hook/lure: #8–2/0 fly
Bait/lure: Streamer
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain
Rod: #6–#10 class; around 2.70 m
Reel: Saltwater fly reel
Main line: Floating/intermediate fly line
Leader/trace: 0.25–0.45 mm tapered leader
Hook/lure: #8–2/0 fly
Bait/lure: YEM0035
Connector: Swivel/clip; pick a suitable breaking strain

Watch out: Back-cast clearance and wind

Keep with you: Pliers, hook remover, glasses and first aid

Regulations: Communiqué 2024/21 Article 16 hook and line limits and place bans are checked

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum size for European seabass?: In recreational angling the minimum catch size for European seabass is 25 cm. Fish below that length have to be returned to the water. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.
When is European seabass closed to fishing?: There is no closed season specific to European seabass — the regulations set no time ban for this species. Area and gear rules still apply. The limit that applies all year is the minimum size: 25 cm. Legal basis: 2024/21 Çizelge 7.
Which seas is European seabass found in?: In our records European seabass appears in these seas: Black Sea, Sea of Marmara, Aegean Sea, Mediterranean, Adriatic — Albania, Ionian Sea — Albania, Bay of Vlorë — Albania, North Aegean & Thrace — Greece, Central & South Aegean — Greece, Ionian Sea — Greece, Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece, Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus, Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus, Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus, Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus, Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus, Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus, Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus, Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus, Ligurian Sea — Italy, Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy, Adriatic — Italy, Ionian Sea — Italy, Strait of Sicily — Italy, Sardinian Sea — Italy, Atlantic Ocean — Spain, Mediterranean — Spain, Cantabrian Sea — Spain, Balearic Sea — Spain, Alboran Sea — Spain, Gulf of Cádiz — Spain, Strait of Gibraltar — Spain.
In which months is European seabass at its peak?: Peak periods by sea: Ionian Sea — Albania November–March; Adriatic — Albania November–March; Bay of Vlorë — Albania November–March; North Aegean & Thrace — Greece October–April; Central & South Aegean — Greece October–April; Ionian Sea — Greece October–April; Crete & Libyan Sea — Greece September–June; Sea of Marmara all year; Black Sea all year; Aegean Sea all year; Mediterranean all year; Famagusta–İskele — Northern Cyprus December–February; Güzelyurt Bay — Northern Cyprus December–February; Kyrenia north coast — Northern Cyprus December–February; Karpas Peninsula — Northern Cyprus December–February; Paphos–Limassol south coast — Southern Cyprus December–February; Ayia Napa–Protaras — Southern Cyprus December–February; Akamas–Paphos west coast — Southern Cyprus December–February; Larnaca southeast coast — Southern Cyprus December–February; Ligurian Sea — Italy November–March; Sardinian Sea — Italy November–March; Tyrrhenian Sea — Italy November–March; Adriatic — Italy November–March; Ionian Sea — Italy November–March; Strait of Sicily — Italy November–March; Mediterranean — Spain November–March; Alboran Sea — Spain November–March; Strait of Gibraltar — Spain November–March; Cantabrian Sea — Spain October–February; Atlantic Ocean — Spain December–April; Balearic Sea — Spain November–March; Gulf of Cádiz — Spain November–March.
Which bait is European seabass caught with?: Baits and lures on record: shrimp, mamun, flathead grey mullet fry, European anchovy, Atlantic horse mackerel, minnow, soft plastic, surface, European sprat, European sardine, sülünez, European squid.