Fishing in Lazio

Best known as the home of Rome, Lazio is a region that blends monumental history with rich natural landscapes. Stretching from the Apennine Mountains in the east to the Tyrrhenian Sea in the west, Lazio’s geography supports a wide range of freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities. Though it’s not Italy’s most famous angling destination, Lazio offers quiet, scenic fishing spots just outside the urban hustle. The region is home to volcanic lakes, rivers, and a rugged coastline that harbors marine life and old-school charm. Whether you're relaxing on the shores of Lake Bolsena, exploring the Tiber River, or casting from a boat off the coast of Civitavecchia or Anzio, Lazio rewards anglers with variety, accessibility, and an authentic Italian atmosphere. Lazio’s mild Mediterranean climate means fishing is viable nearly all year, and the region’s fishing culture, steeped in both tradition and sport, offers a unique way to experience Italy beyond the museums and monuments.

Lazio provides a compelling mix of freshwater and saltwater fishing, with locations accessible from Rome and other major towns. Inland, volcanic crater lakes like Lago di Bolsena, Lago di Bracciano, and Lago di Albano offer serene settings for lake fishing, while the Tiber and its tributaries support a growing scene for river fishing. And backcountry fishing in the Apennines offer serenity among trout streams that you’d never think could exist so close to the Eternal City. On the coast, inshore and nearshore fishing trips are available from ports such as Civitavecchia, Fiumicino, and Terracina, with some captains venturing further offshore depending on weather and season. While Lazio may not be as famous for the big-game scene of southern Italy or Sicily, it offers reliable coastal fishing in a relaxed setting, perfect for casual and vacationing anglers.

In the lakes, anglers can expect to catch pike, zander, perch, carp, tench, and eel, with occasional sightings of catfish and trout depending on the altitude and stocking. Lake Bolsena, in particular, is renowned for its clean waters and healthy populations of perch and pike, making it a favorite for sportfishing. The Tiber River and its tributaries support chub, barbel, roach, and other coarse fish, along with some stocked trout in upper stretches. Native brown trout is abundant in the inland mountain streams. In saltwater, the Tyrrhenian coast yields sea bass (branzino), gilt-head bream (orata), mackerel, bluefish, amberjack, and cuttlefish. Reef and bottom dwellers like conger eel, scorpionfish, and sea bream are commonly caught by local anglers fishing from piers or boats. During the warmer months, you may also encounter tuna, mahi-mahi and even swordfish.

Freshwater techniques in Lazio include spinning for predatory fish like pike and perch, feeder and float fishing for coarse species, and fly fishing in select river areas. The local guides swear that this is where fly fishing was invented, and if you book a guided trip through the Apennine mountain streams, you will find this claim easy to believe. Night fishing for eel and carp is also popular, especially on the lakes during summer. Along the coast, anglers use bottom rigs with natural bait like shrimp, squid, or sardines to target reef species. Spinning and jigging from boats or rocky shorelines is productive for bluefish and sea bass, especially in the early morning or evening. Shore fishing from breakwaters and piers is popular and easily accessible, with bait shops in coastal towns providing tackle and local advice. Some guides offer trolling trips in nearshore waters for seasonal pelagics.