Having plenty of water, Karlovac County is one of the most attractive destinations of fishing tourism in Croatia. Richness in clear water has been awarded through numerous fish species. Regardless of type of fishing you prefer, there is always something for everybody, throughout the year. Besides that, spending time around shores or on the water is relaxing and calming. Fishing is here a harmony and combination of pleasure of fishing and natural surroundings.
Some of the fishing clubs are among the oldest in Croatia; Sportfishing Club Ogulin had been established in 1921, Sportfishing Club "Korana" from Karlovac in 1923 and Sportfishing Club "Mrežnica" in 1934. Members take care of not only water protection, but also of fish stocks. You are also required to respect close season and protect endangered species. At Šumbar, for example, all caught carps and amurs are returned unharmed back to the water, respecting the principle "catch and set free".
Šumbar near Karlovac is a favourite meeting-place of fishers and carps, amurs, pikes, catfish, perches, pike-perches and various white-fleshed fish are found there. The largest river of Karlovac, Kupa, even though in broader surroundings of the town, is full of these, but also of other fish species. Fishers like to fish from boats, because this allows them to choose the best spots. The river Dobra is mainly somewhat faster and shallower and is appropriate for fishing of white-fleshed fish; the best summer fishing areas are beautiful waterfalls.
Fishing on the river Mrežnica is an unforgettable adventure due to numerous waterfalls, rapids and islands; you must sometimes even pull the boat, but also step into the emerald water. Fishing at the river Korana is also an indescribable pleasure which too is rich in white-fleshed fish (tench, chub, barbel…) and pike, like the Mrežnica. In the summer "grass", i.e. algae scraped from waterfall dam, thrown downstream, is used as bate.
In the surroundings of Karlovac, Draganić and Ozalj there are numerous barriers, gravel pits and fish ponds (the biggest are in Draganić), containing various fish species. The rivers Slunjčica, Glina, Utinja and Radonja are fishing spots on Kordun. In the area around Ogulin, besides the rivers Dobra and Zagorska Mrežnica, one may fish at Lake Sabljaci, but also at fast and clear mountain brooks, which are especially rich in trout. There are many shops in the county that sell fishing permits and equipment and there are numerous restaurants offering fish meals along river shores.
