While many are happy to share their fishing tales, true anglers never reveal the secret of their best fishing spots. Still, by carefully observing their movements (by boat), we have come to the conclusion that carp, pike, catfish, and zander bite best at the confluence of the Drava and the Danube – a natural phenomenon partly protected as Kopački Rit Nature Park.

Old Drava, Bilje

The old course of the Drava River, a few kilometres north of Osijek – also known as Lake Bilje (Biljsko jezero) – regularly hosts national and international fishing competitions. Connected by a network of canals to the Nature Park Kopački rit, you are almost guaranteed a good catch!

Old Drava, Belišće

If you can’t find the perfect spot among the many anglers on the lake between Belišće and Baranjsko Petrovo Selo, try casting your line directly into the Drava near the village of Bistrinci. In summer, while waiting for a bite, you can cool off on a popular
sandy beach nearby.

Winter Harbour on the Drava, Osijek

There are few places in the world where you can cast a line in the centre of a large city and catch a trophy specimen – yet in Osijek’s Winter Harbour (Zimska luka), this is the rule rather than the exception. You can see this for yourself at the Urban Fishing League competition held here in early autumn.

Green Island on the Danube, Batina

Fishing on the Danube is not for beginners, so if you’re visiting Baranja as a tourist, try your luck along the western bank of the Green Island (Zeleni otok) by the Danube canal. And if all you take home are fishermen’s tales, don’t worry – there are plenty of excellent traditional (fish) restaurants nearby!

Old Danube, Topolje

Along the northern slopes of the wine-rich Bansko hill, not far from the village of Topolje, you will find the so-called “Dunavac” and discover how the mighty river has changed its course since the 18th century. If some of your companions lack the patience for fishing, send them to the nearby sandy beach in Draž – far enough away so that the swimmers don’t scare off your fish.

Našice Fishponds, Našice

Fed by streams flowing from the northern slopes of the Slavonian mountains, a network of fishponds lies between the villages of Lila and Jelisavac. Rich in fish, they attract not only recreational anglers but also an abundance of birds and wildlife, with the surrounding nature resembling a smaller version of the Kopački Rit Nature Park. If, by some chance, you still end up with an empty hook, visit the nearby Ribnjak restaurant, known for its excellent river fish and game dishes – and if you wish to try again the next day, you can rent a room at Ribnjak.

Lakes Borovik and Jošava, Đakovo area

Hidden in dense forest near the village of Drenje, north of Đakovo, these two large lakes hosted the world’s best carp anglers in 2025. The Croatian Carp Cup takes place at Lake Jošava at the beginning of the year, while in summer Lake Borovik transforms into one of the most popular swimming spots in Slavonia.

Did you know?

One of the largest fishponds in this part of Europe (1,118 hectares) is located along the Drava near the town of Donji Miholjac and is owned by PP Orahovica. Their fish shops can be found at major markets across Slavonia, offering fresh fish, smoked carp, and the kids’ favourite “Panona Mare” fish nuggets. Not far from the fishponds lies a place for rest and relaxation – once fishponds, today a protected ornithological reserve called Podpanj.

Contacts:

• Hrvatski športsko ribolovni savez – Croatian Sport Fishing Association, www.ribolovni-savez.hr
• Športski ribolovni savez Osječko-baranjske županije – Sport Fishing Association of Osijek-Baranja County, www.srsobz.hr
• Fishing in Kopački rit Nature Park, www.pp-kopacki-rit.hr/cjenik

Text: Mislav Pavošević