Adventures

Visitors wishing to fish will also find an excellent opportunity to relax with us. With a day pass, they can enjoy their hobby on the Hortobágy River and nearby canals.

Hortobágy River - A Pristine Fishing Water in the Heart of Hortobágy National Park

One of the most unique rivers in the Tiszántúl region, the Hortobágy River flows from one river to another. While no longer entirely natural, it originally started its picturesque journey as the southern overflow of the Vörös Marsh near Polgár. It meandered across the plains, once disappearing into the marshes of Nagy-Sárrét near Ágota, between Püspökladány and Karcag. Today, its flow continues southward in a man-made bed for approximately 25 kilometers, then travels another 20 kilometers along the old Berettyó riverbed. Finally, it runs almost straight in a dug channel along the western edge of the former Sárrét before joining the Hármas-Körös under Mezőtúr.

The river's flora is diverse, with reeds and bulrushes lining its banks, while nettles and comfrey grow in between. On the open water, yellow water lilies and white lotus flowers create a captivating sight, alongside ferns like water starwort and carnivorous bladderwort with yellow blossoms.

Fish species include carp, pike, crucian carp, bream, roach, bleak, and the increasingly rare tench. Occasionally, you may encounter catfish, including dwarf and river species, and zander is a common catch for spin fishing. Amphibians are abundant, including green frogs and toads, while willow trees along the banks are home to green tree frogs. Lucky visitors might spot grass snakes swimming or marsh turtles basking in the sun. Dragonflies and damselflies flit gracefully between reeds, adding to the enchanting scenery.

The riverside reeds provide habitats for numerous bird species. Reed warblers, sedge warblers, and reed buntings thrive here, as does the bearded tit, known for its ringing call, long tail, and black mustache-like plumage near its eyes. Penduline tits weave intricate nests on the overhanging branches of riverside willows. The kingfisher, with its shimmering feathers, is a standout sight as it perches on branches above the water, diving for bleak or bream.

Fishing Opportunities and Management

Since 2001, the nearly 4-kilometer stretch of the Hortobágy River near Hortobágy village has been managed by the Hortobágyi Fishing Association. The association actively preserves the waterway's ecological value, regularly stocking the river with high-quality native fish species, such as carp, zander, and tench, to support both breeding and recreational fishing. Members of the association frequently contribute through voluntary efforts to maintain the fishing spots along the banks.

Daily passes can be purchased via the MOHOSZ website.

Additional Fishing Spots

Nearby canals also offer excellent fishing opportunities:

-Árkus Stream: Located between Tiszacsege and Faluvéghalma, parts of this waterway are protected by the Hortobágy National Park. Daily passes are available on the MOHOSZ website.

-Nyugati Main Canal: Daily passes can be purchased online via MOHOSZ or at Olivér Őri's shop in Ohat (+36 20 243 9750).

-Keleti Main Canal: Spanning from the Balmazújváros water level regulator to the Hajdúszoboszló sluice. Daily passes are available on the MOHOSZ website.

-Kadarcs-Karácsonyfok Canal: This canal, which receives water from the Balmazújváros internal drainage system, also offers fishing opportunities with day passes available via the MOHOSZ website.

For fishing spots in Hajdú-Bihar County, visitors can also purchase daily passes at the Bravo Fish fishing store in Balmazújváros (Kossuth Square 3).

Accommodation

For those planning a longer stay, various accommodations are available in Hortobágy village.