Romania

You can hardly say "carpfishing" in ths country, without also mentioning the extremely influential Robert Raduta! He's the man, that in the mid-nineties saw the possibilities in bringing western carpanglers to the now legendary water he controls, now bearing his name, to fish for the extremely big and virtually virgin carp, grasscarp, silver carp and marbled carp present there. He was before this already making money from hunters, coming to hunt wild boar etc. in the area around the lake at Sarulesti  - and carp anglers could well be good for a few extra quidd. These "few quidds" has now turned into really big business! No european carp anglers haven't heard of the Sarulesti lake - or Lake Raduta, as it's also called - now world famous for the huge fish present - and the number of biggies roaming these waters! This has really made the venue the carpfishing Mecca for the big-fish specialists from all over Europe - and even the rest of the world. Of course, several big international events arranged here over recent years have only added to the succes of Raduta's enterprises. Within these last few years he is also involved in the exploration of the immense potential of the Danube (Donau) Delta. He has in 2002  established a carpfishing lodge and own a concession of considerable dimmensions in the Delta, where test fishing has proven very, very promissing. We are almost certain to hear much more of this project in the coming years.

Considering the size of the country, it's rather remarkable, that untill now no focus has ever been put on any other carpwaters in Roumania - as they must beyond any doubt be present! Carp have always been a popular species in this part of the world - and they should be expected to be present in just about any lake, pond or river offering the appropiate conditions! No doubt, they are there - but it seems like next to noone have had the drive to do the nescessary pioneering work to seek out more promissing venues, that could be of interrest to visiting anglers. I have heard of a few german anglers having tried their luck - but have got no informations as to what their experiences have been.
A fishing permit from the Fishing & Hunting Associasion of the county is generally requirred - but said not to be nescessary, if you fish in the 90% of waters, that are private. In these waters, local rules apply, and nightfishing is generally allowed. Usually daytickets will be available locally from the bailifs (personal mail feb. 2007).

Rumours of severe difficulties with both corruption, abuse of power and position being the order of the day, threats, attempted robbery and violence has been put forward, though - and as most of us wouldn't be able to speak to many locals on our way, this of course adds to the adverses to be considered before going on your own. At least, don't go on your own - 3 or 4 would be a lot more safe.
It certainly pays to know someone, who knows his way around in the local society - and who can solve any problems with communications, paperwork - and what ever you could encounter on your way.

As a very powerfull and influential person, Robert Raduta is such a man - who can spare you from these worries at his waters. The main drawback is, that it'll cost you! Another obstacle is, that you can't just go to Sarulesti or the Delta and expect to be able to get permission to fish!
You cannot contact Raduta directly either - you have to book though the different agents / contact persons in each country, taking bookings for fishing these waters. It of course all adds to the price to pay - and you have to decide for yourself, whether you feel the fishing would be worth it.

Danube (Donau) Delta
I've got no first-hand informations on the fishing in this enormous expanse of water - the endlessly branching delta of the mighty river Danube. In places it's said to seem very much like calm lakes in a row - sometimes even not interconnected all year - only to be part of the same river system when water levels rises, flooding the shallow banks! In other parts, the current is always present - and important - even at quite low water levels - and in places heavy boat-traffic is encountered - but carp are present everywhere!
And what carp they are!!
Immaculate commons, already caught to just short of 30 kg - some very long and lean wildies - and they all fight like devils!. Huge mirror carp are also present. That's at least what I have been able to deduce from the few sources available. Most informations have been revealed by a french team, including Léon Hoogendijk and Phillippe Lagabbe, having fished in the consessions of Robert Raduta. This concession covers more than 1000 ha. og lakes and streams - and it has produced an impressive amount of action to the pioneering anglers - and very big fish to 27 kg! Who knows what is to be expected in the years to come? Also very big catfish are present - specimens to 150 kg+ have been caught in nets in 2003.
Further info on http://www.radutalake.ro/
Bookings for this fishing is still the same as for Raduta lake - you'll have to look for the contact person - or agents - in your country. You can't book directly.
>Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Izvorul Muntelui , Lacul, Bicaz 
This 25 km long reservoir is one of the top waters in the country. Both carp and grasscarp have been caught to 30 kg+ - but no further details are available at the moment. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Raduta lake, Sarulesti
This lake, also often named Sarulesti lake, was originally constructed in an attempt to connect Bucarest to the Danube river for navigation - but due to a severe miscalculation, meaning the lack of as little as approx. 3 meters in altitude, the project had to be abandoned in the end. It's now more than 25 years ago, that the lake was formed by damming a small river - flooding the valleys, including fields, forrests, roads and villages - and in fact some carp ponds, from where the immaculate mirror carp still present in the lake to this day origins.Photo: Johnny Jensen Strangely enough, the majority of the big mirrors are still caught in the vicinity of these old ponds!

A dirt track is leading all around the lake, giving good acces by car to all the by now named swims used by carp anglers. The map of the lake available here is drawn by danish/french angler Thierry Dubrail and myself - and the names are the ones Thierry uses. Having visited Raduta lake on several occasions, both as an official at the international events on the venue and also bringing groups of scandinavian anglers to fish, Thierry is beyond any doubts one of the persons, who knows the different parts of the water best!  Some other tour operators might use different names of their own for the same swims - I do not know.

Rosu , Lacul,  Gheorghieni
This rather small lake of some 13 ha., found some 26 km from Gheorghieni and  55 km from Bicaz can be a very interesting option. Due to lake being full of trees, the old, big carp cannot be caught the way most anglers fish - but according to locals, huge fish are present.
Infos: http://www.agrotour.ro/lacul_rosu.htm    >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Snagov , Lacul, Bucarest
35 km north of Bucarest, this 560 ha. lake is a well known top water in this country, boasting both the long standing old catfish record at 140 kg+ and carp to 30 kg+. No further info available. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Surduc,  Lacul, Faget
About ca. 80 km east of Timisoara, at Faget, this 460 ha lake is found, where carp have been caught to 25 kg+. Nightfishing should not be authorized. No further informations available at this point. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<