Hungary  - without any doubt a country with a great many really big fish!

Unfortunately, I can't give any guidelines regarding the purchase of the needed angling permits in this country - as I've simply not been able to figure out the details. As far as I have experienced the few times I've fished her myself, all that's needed is the local permit for the water.  It can be quite a quest to find out where to buy it - as tackle stores are not at hand everywhere - always worth a try if one is found - and it's not easy to ask arround, as most people here do not speak anything but hungarian. Quite a few do speak german though - especially of the older people. Many waters are private now, and permits can be obtained at the premisses. Carp - ponty in magyar language - are protected from may 2. to june 15.. I'm not sure wether this means, that you can't fish for them at all - or it just means, that if you catch some, you have to put them back - instead of bringing them home to the kitchen.  Do yourself the favour to puchase the book "Magyarország Horgászvizei", which is a map in the scale 1:300.000, where many of the hungarian waters are found. It's published by Topo-Press Térképészeti Kft., 1041 Budapest, Rósza u. 54, IV. 28, Fax: + 36 370-0793. In all 813 waters are indicated - where they are found; which species are present:  the size of the water and sometimes more. The key to the schematic review is also available in english and german, not leaving us to pure guesswork. A great help not to miss! Another advice: Mosquitoes are omnipresent in this country - and in numbers rarely seen anywhere else! Don't forget a really powerfull repellant - and if you can't find a good one at home - you can certainly find very effective ones on the shelves of the local stores! Don't touch your baits or lines with it on your fingers, though!

Also look on Heinrich Hermansen's article Ungarske Karpevande, in danish, where more intersting waters are mentioned.

Atka tó, Szeged, Hödmezövasarhely, Algyö.
This 100 ha. water have produced both carp and grasscarp to 25 kg+. Closed season from 01.05-15.06. Permits available from the angling club Csongrad in Szeged, Bocskai road. 2, phone 62 425 620, and from Szeged club office, Szentharomsag road. 63, phone 62 441 196. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Buzas Völgyi, Recsk
This 54 ha., rather shallow but beautifull water 20 km before Eger on the N24 is holding very good grasscarp and carp to 25 kg. The lake is crawling with carp - and even though the fish also eat at daytime, nightfishing is also allowed. Permits available in the local restaurant. Closed season  01.05-15.06.>Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Deseda tó, Kaposvar, Toponar.
Grasscarp to 30 kg and carp to 27 kg reported from this 220 ha. water. Nightfishing not allowed from 06.01-08.31, where you can only fish from  05-22 o'clock. Permits from the Camping in Toponar, from Panoroma Hotel Kaposvar Füredi u. 18. or from the tackleshop in Kaposfüred. Infos: Somogy Megyei (82) 317 776. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Donauarm Rackeve, Budapest, Soraoksari, Tass.
This 60 km long blind arm of the mighty river Danube/Donau from Budapest to the sluice at Tass is a top water for both carp and grasscarp. ou don't even count the number of big grasscarp and marbled carp/bighead carp to 30 kg+ caught from here - and it's pretty much the same for both mirro and common carp! The record is a 40,35 kg fish caught at Soroksari. In fact, all hungarian record carp/grasscarp/marble grasscarp have fro years come from this water! An angling camp is established on an island close the the sluice at Tass.
A top section is from the Tass sluice to the joining with the river Danube/Donau. These 9 ha. waters ar both very beautifully surrounded - and crawling with good fish - especially in spring. A special permit is needed for this section, available from the bailifs, as well as from restaurants in the area.
Permits from Rackeve, Kossuth L. u. 93, phonea 24-485-261 and 24-423-565). >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Egerszaloki tó, Eger.
Big carp to 25 kg and grassies to 24 kg have been caught from this 120 ha. lake. No nightfishing. Closed season from  01.05-15.06. Permits available on site. Infos: Heves Megyei Szövetsege Tel: (36) 313 689; 3300 Eger, Deak F u. 64
>Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Fehervarcsurgoi tó, Fehevarcsurgoi
One of the top carp waters in the country. Carp to 30 kg and grasscarp to 34 kg have been landed from this 312 ha. rather shallow water with depths to 5 meters. Nightfishing is allowed. Permits from nearby restaurants and tackleshops.
Infos: HE.k Fejer Megyei Sz. 8000 Szekesfehervar, Pilinszky J. Tel: 14. 22 506 969
>Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Gyekenyesi tó, Gyekenyes
This lake complex of 4 gravelpits of different size is found south of the town of Nagykaniza, very close to the slovenian border. A well kept secret for many years, but still known to a range of german, austrian and hungarian anglers well before it was publiced in a hungarian magazine in the early nineties in connection with a 30 kg carp. 
Both huge carp and grasscarp to 32 kg have been caught from here - as have huge catfish. Make sure to bring stepped-up gear to cope with these fighting maschines ..... . Closed season 01.05-15.06. 
Info: Anton, Phone 82 735 487. Permits available from the restautant in the village - from which you can also get both foods and wine to brin along to your swim. Bring pots for the transportation ....
On the biggest, 300 ha. lake, it is no more allowed to bivvy up on the railway bank. Beware for bad weather, if you drive out to a chosen spot far out - when you try to return to "safe grounds", you might get stuck in the mud!
It is not allowed to sail out to bivvy up on the islands - and the beach of course also have to be respected! 
- We don't want to bring the nightfishing in jeopardy, won't we? 
Many apparently private swims are found at the big and the bigger of the small waters south of the road - but according to local informations, they are in fact nothing of the sort! Do take care not to create conflicts with the locals, though - and there are plenty of other places to fish. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Haromfai tó, Haromfai
This water is also known as "The Green Hell" - due to the venue being covered with lillies and weeds to about 80%! Very big fish are present in the very shallow, and often unusually warm water, though. Carp have been caught to 28 kg+, grasscarp to 30 kg+ - and my friend Heinrich Hermansen caught a silver carp of 34 kg some years back. Even then - the big ones always get away in the weeds and lillies....
Closed season 01.05-15.06.
Permits from Palinko Karoly in Haromfa. Kossuth u. 131 und. Csaszar Orsolya, Kossuth u. 32.>Heinrich Hermansen, 2000<, >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Harsasberki tó, Hársasberki
This 225 ha. water between Kaposvar and Dombovar have produced both carp and grasscarp to 25 kg. Season 06.01-08.31 - except for the closed season from  01.05-15.06. No nightfishing - only from 05-22 o'clock.  Permits on site. Infos: 30 939 1121 – Szabo Fernc. 7255 Nagyberki, Szecshenyi u. 5
>Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Komravölgyi tó, Litke-Mihalyger
This 45 ha. water  on the slovakian border, some 100 km north of Budapest have produced very nice fish to 19 kg for carp and grasscarp over 24 kg. Closed season  01.05-15.06. No nightfishing - only March + November 06-18 hrs; April + October 05-20 hrs; May + September 05-21 hrs; Juni + Juli + August 04-22 hrs. 
Permits from  Salgotarjan Alkotmany u. 20. Mihalygerge – Presszo, Rakoczi u. 60.; Büfe, Rakoczi u. 115, and in bars and restaurants in the area. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Latokepi Viz Tarozo, Debrechen
Very big grasscarp and bighead carp have been caught here.

From the www.carphunters.com mailbox 13.12.07: Hi My name is Armand, and am sending you a few pictures of carp caught in Debrecen Hungary. The Lake is called Latokepi Viz Tarozo.  There are a few monsters still living in theses waters till today.  The first picture is a 25.4 kgGrass Carp caught on Maize in the summer of 2006.  The second picture is a 54kg Big head Carp also caught on corn. Best Regards Arvand Pouladi

Lazberci tó, Dedestapolcsany
This 77 ha. i surface area, and  with depths to 17 meter quite deep lake for hungarian standards, 25 km from Miskolc, have produced very fine carp to 22 kg, and grassies to 21 kg. No nightfishing - only from 5-21 hrs. Permits available on site.
>Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Leveleki tó, Levelek, Apagy, Magy.
This 250 ha., but very shallow water to only 2 meters of depth, close to the Rumanian border, has produced both carp and grasscarp to 20 kg+. Nightfishing is not allowed - fishing only fron 05 - 22 hrs.. 
Intruder-alarms and handguns recommended for personal safety... ??! .. . ?? .... .
>Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Merenye tó, Merenye.
This locally very popular 30 ha. water on the N6 between Barcs and Pecs has a very god stock of big carp and grasscarp to 25 kg+. Nightfishing is allowed. Closed season  01.05-15.06. Big bait can be a way to the better fish. Unfortunately, the website of the lake will not be of any help to most of us, as it's only in magyar! >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<, >Internet, www.specimen.at, 2005<

Palotasi tó, Palotas, Kisbagyon.
Carp to 28 kg and 33 kg grasscarp have been caught from this 63 ha. water wit an excellent carp population, appr. 60 km northeast of Budapest. Closed season 01.05-15.06. Nightfishing allowed. Permits from the tackle shop in Palotas Szabadag. 24. Infos: Tourismus Center Polotas (32) 480-054. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

NOTE: Phone numbers indicated are for calling inside Hungary! For calls from other countries, dial 0036 first.

Pecsi tó, Mecsekszakal, Orfü, Pecs.
One of the very well known hungarian waters - and not without reason, as many very fine fish have been caught from this 70 ha. water. Carp to 31 kg - grasscarp to 27 kg.. Closed season  01.05-15.06. Fishing is possible from 6-18 o'clock from 03.01.-03.31; from 2-22 o'clock 04.01.-08.31. I don't know for the rest of the year. Permits from the camping at Orfü. Infos: HE-k Baranya Megyei Sz. - (72) 326 775; horgasztanya - (72) 498-296. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Balaton tó
Known to german and austrian anglers as Plattensee, this is with 60.000 ha. the biggest lake in Hungary - and many extremely good fish have been caught here. As well known from many other places, though, it's the small fish that dominates!
The western part of the water is very shallow, and it's really long range techniques, that have to come in use in this part of the lake, if carp of any size is targetted.
Most carp specialists prefere the somewhat deeper part around the Tihany peninsula, where holes to 12,5 meter are present. Even here, long range tactics are often the key to succes.
The main problem in Balaton will always be - swimmers! If the water have anything of a reasonable temperature, the water can be crawling with them - and forget anything resembling serious angling under these conditions! But we do have both early spring (march-april), autumn (september-october) and winter pretty much to ourselves - and fishing could very well be worth while, as carp have been caught to 32,3 kg - even a 35,5 kg common have alledgedly been caught, but have not been properly documented. Grasscarp have been caught to 30 kg+ - and huge cats are also present. Carp to 25 kg+ are caught every year by local anglers - who unfortunately all too often eat them!
Permits available in tackleshops around the lake. Nightfishing not allowed. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Pölöskei tó Pölöske, Zalaegerzeg.
This is a very rich water of 150 ha., where carp have been caught to 26 kg and grasscarp to 31 kg. One of the biggest problems here are the huge amount of smallish fish too - sometimes making it impossible to get onto the better fish - do look below, though. Closed season from  01.05-15.06. Nightfishing allowed. Permits available on site. Infos: Tel: 92 323 688 Pölöskei Szabadidopark és Tó Kht.: 8900 Zalaegerszeg, Köztarsasag ut 87. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<
Also look at this e-mail, recieved 24.04.05:

Hi Kenth, I´m angler from Czech rep. and I visit Hungary every year ( 7x Poloskei tó) I know lake Poloskei very well. Your info about the huge amount of small fish is not true. My the smaller carp from Poloskei was 9,5kg. Normal carps are 10-17kg. The biggest problem here is not more free places - 90% places are private and Hungary people are not friends and 99% hungarian people speaking only hungarian (Magyar) language. The second big problem is a lot of trees and bushes in the water - under 60% and over 40% - every big carp living in there area. You are only 20% lucky!!!!,but it is extreme carpfishing - it is nice. The same info is for Potretei I-II. Price: ticket about 15 eur/1 day 2rods non-stop rent boat 4 eur/1 day place on the island 10 eur/1 day Name of fishpolice man at Poloskei is Julo Balogh mobil: 0036 302581391 Good www for trip to Hungary is: www.fischinfo.com (Ed.: unfortunately in hungarian only - but still worth a visit) Best regards, Petr Gavenda, Czech rep.

Pötretei I - II, Pötrete, Zalaegerszeg
Two very well stocked waters of 40 and 100 ha., especially suited for beginners, as carp stocks are very dense here! Nevertheless, big fish to 20 kg+ have been caught here - both carp and grasscarp. Closed season 01.05-15.06. Nightfishing allowed. Permits from Horgaszbolt Pötrete, phone 06-30-403-7419. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Rakaca tó, Megyei Szövetsge
Close to the Slocachian border, between Meszes and Szalonna, this 202 ha water is found. Carp and grasscarp have both been caught to 20 kg+ from here. Closed season from 01.05-15.06. No nightfishing. Infos: He-k BAZ Megyei Szövetsege - (46) 324 702;3530 Miskolc, Corvin u. 15. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Retzközi tó, Kisvarda
A top water between Kekcse and Szabolcsveresmart. Grasscarp to 30 kg and carp to 25 kg have been caught from this 400 ha., shallow water with depths to only 3 meters, where nightfishing is allowed. Closed season from 01.05-15.06.. Permits from Felsoszabolcsi Haltermelo Kkt.: 4400 Nyíregyhaza, Csillag u. 16. phone 42 410 038. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Sazmos tó, Tunyogmatolcs
Originating from the river Sazmoz, this 190 ha. lake on the far east border to Roumania at the town Satu Mare. Permits are available from tacklestores in Mateszalka and Fehergyarmat. As the water at floods are connected to the Tisza/system, it has to have big carp too, but not much has been revealed yet. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Szalkai tó, Szalka, Möcseny, Szekszard-Bataszek.
60 ha water with carp to 24 kg and grasscarp to 27 kg, where nightfishing is possible from 05.01. to 09.30. Permits: halõr - Szabo Istvan (74 409 885); Horog Csarda - Szalka. Infos: halor - Szuszek Pal: (30) 9138 730, Szabo Istvan (74 409 885); Horog Csarda – Szalka >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Szelidi tó, Dunapataj (Szelid), Paks.
How about 3 grasscarp of 15 kg+ - a day? - This 80 ha. lake can be the venue to visit, then! Lake record carp went 27 kg, record grasscarp 26 kg. In summer months, nightfishing is allowed - but no bivvies; only umbrellas. Infos: Vajda Gyula: 30 346-2702. and http://www.szelidi-to.hu/index_hun.htm >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Tisza-tó,  Tiszafüred
This 600 ha. reservoir on the Tisza river is famous for the true wild carp present here - huge, bronze, long and lean fighting maschines! - And of course also for the big catfish present. Carp to 28 kg - grasscarp to 32 kg - and cats to 100 kg+! Wildies - the real thing - to 17 kg+!
The stocks have surely recovered well after much of it were wiped out after a cyanide outlet upstream, from the other side of the border, a few years back.
Wether the record fish indicated were caught before or after the disaster, I do not know.
The lake is a part of a huge system of branches on the river, that can never be exploited in one go! Have a look around - here a boat can come in very handy - and chose a place to fish. Closed season 01.05-15.06. Nightfishing not allowed. Permits from local tackle shops. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Tisza river, Alcsiziget, Szolnok, Szajol
Germans and austrian will know this river as Theiß.
On february 14. 200, a vast cyanide outlett of 10.000 m3 toxic water from a goldmine lake on the rumanian side of the border killed almost everything in and around the river - everything swimming in or drinking the highly toxic water! Imagine the fish stocks loss at that occasion!
Fortunately, the poisonous water did not get into blindarms and small crevices, where fish, crayfish, snails, mussels and so on thus survived - and have already proved to be regenerating stocks in the river very fast.
One of the blind arms of the river on the river is found close to Szolnok, at the town Szajol. This is a very good water for big grasscarp and medium sized carp. The best spots are only accissible by boat. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Tisza Gyalaret, Szeged.
This some 70 ha. blind arm of the river, controlled by the Otto Hermann angling club, is very well stocked with carp of 8/13 kg, but also bigger carp and grasscarp to 25 kg-. Permits available from the Club office in Szeged, Szentharomsag Str. 63, phone 62 441 196, as well as from the restaurant in town. Closed season 01.05-15.06. >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Vajai Osto tó, Vaja,  Ör
This 54 ha. shallow water close to the rumanian border is known fot the big grasscarp to 30 kg here - but carp are also caught to 22 kg. Nightfishing is allowed. Closed season 01.05-15.06. Permits available from the bailif on site. Infos: 44 311 689, 30 482 9711
 >Michael Fuchs, nov. 2004<

Do you have any informations on carpfishing in Hungary?
Send a mail - and even better a few pictures too - to Kenth on info@carphunters.com.