The Ráckevei-Duna-ág: An Angler's Paradise Next to Budapest

Few capital cities can say that a complete, 57-kilometre river arm full of fishing opportunities starts just a few kilometres from their boundary – Budapest can. The jetties, reed beds and quiet bays of the Ráckevei-Duna-ág (the Ráckeve Danube branch, known to many simply as the RSD) welcome thousands of anglers every weekend. Here's what makes this water special, what's worth targeting and what to keep in mind so that the day goes well for everyone.

A Danube arm run by sluices

The Ráckevei-Duna-ág – formerly called the Soroksári-Duna – winds along the eastern side of Csepel Island from the Kvassay sluice in Budapest all the way to Tass. From the late 19th century to the first half of the 20th it was gradually closed off at both ends, and ever since, the water level and water exchange have been controlled by the sluices at each end. That's the source of the water's most important feature: there's hardly any current, and the branch behaves more like a long, narrow lake.

Along the banks, from Soroksár through Dunaharaszti, Szigetszentmiklós and Ráckeve down to Dömsöd and Tass, villages, holiday homes and jetties line up one after another. In summer, anglers share the water with boaters, rowers and swimmers, so patience and give-and-take matter here at least as much as good tackle.

What fish live in the RSD?

According to the most recent scientific fish surveys, bleak, roach and Prussian carp are the most abundant species in the branch, but for anglers these are the most interesting:

• Zander: one of the most common predators, along rock revetments, bridge piers and drop-offs.
• Pike: in reedy and weedy areas, especially active in autumn.
• Wels catfish and asp: on the deeper stretches, and in summer hunting out in open water.
• Carp and grass carp: anglers' favourites, from both stocking and natural populations.
• Common and white bream: a good target all year round on the feeder or the float.
• Largemouth bass: a predator from old stockings, and something of a rarity in Hungary.

There's no shortage of non-native species either, such as pumpkinseed, bullhead catfish, bighead and silver carp, and several goby species. Because the branch is closed off, fish from the Danube mainly get in when the sluices are opened, so the make-up of the fish stock can differ from that of the main river.

Methods that work

Carp fishing: thanks to the slow water, method feeder and boilie fishing work well. When fishing from a jetty, feed accurately at a shorter range and watch out for snags and old ropes under the jetty.

Zander fishing: soft plastics along rock revetments and drop-offs near the bank, or a deadbait from dusk onwards. Zander here can be very cautious, so finer, smaller soft plastics often work better.

Bream fishing: feeder or pole along the channel edge. In the slow water lighter feeders are enough; the key is moderate, steady feeding.

Pike fishing: in the strip in front of the reeds and along the edges of weed beds, with spoons or soft plastics, and in autumn even surface lures. Largemouth bass often lie in ambush in the shade of jetties and under cover of aquatic plants; if one takes your bait, handle it as gently as any other fish.

The rules: especially important here

The Ráckevei-Duna-ág is managed as a single fishery by the Ráckevei Dunaági Horgász Szövetség (RDHSZ, the Ráckeve Danube Branch Angling Federation), with its own rules and permit system. The rules change regularly – for example regarding no-fishing zones, areas near beaches, boat fishing, the use of marker buoys or bag limits. Before you cast anything, read the federation's current rules and check the restricted areas too.

1. Carry a Hungarian state fishing licence and a valid RDHSZ local permit.
2. Check the no-fishing zones, especially near beaches, sluices and harbours.
3. If you fish from a boat, check which conditions apply.
4. Don't fish from someone else's jetty without permission – most jetties are private property.
5. Always fill in your catch record, and release undersized and protected fish immediately.
6. Don't leave any rubbish; on busy banks this concerns everyone even more.

Practical tips

• Timing: on summer weekends, dawn and late evening are best, when there's less traffic on the water.
• Getting there: the villages on Csepel Island can also be reached by the Ráckeve HÉV suburban railway, so you can head out for an afternoon session even without a car.
• Weed: shallower areas get very weedy in summer. Then look for clearer patches or move to deeper water.
• Seasons: in spring, bream and carp switch on first in the shallow bays that warm up quickly; autumn is predator time; and in winter you can still expect bream and zander on the deeper, calmer stretches.
• Courtesy: next to jetties and holiday homes, quiet voices and a tidy swim are your best calling card.

Summary

The Ráckevei-Duna-ág offers varied fishing close to the capital that's exciting all year round: carp, zander, pike, bream and the occasional surprise. Its secret is the slow water, and the key is knowing the local rules and respecting other water users. If you're looking for a free swim along the bank, have a look in the site's map search, and where booking is available, it's worth reserving your peg in advance.