Mid-October mornings normally mean misty lakes and rods at the ready—but this time, my adventure began a little differently. Up early, suitcase in hand, I boarded a flight to Croatia for a packed 36-hour trip to the iconic Lake Šumbar, one of Europe’s premier carp-fishing destinations and a venue very close to our hearts at Angling Paradise.

Touchdown in Zagreb & Straight Into Business

After landing in Zagreb, I made the most of the short stay with a business dinner alongside Lake Šumbar President Zeljko and his nephew Nikola.

Over good food and plenty of enthusiasm, we discussed some big developments coming to the lakes—exciting plans that we can’t wait to share soon. Let’s just say… watch this space!

Back on the Banks (But Not Fishing… This Time!)

The next morning, I headed straight to the lake to meet up with our fantastic guide Dani Blašković and the lake management team, Roli and Nikola.

Even though this wasn’t a fishing trip, the spirit of the venue is impossible to resist—so naturally, I joined in with helping build swims and taking part in a bit of lakeside maintenance.

Did I stay on my feet the whole time? Absolutely not. I slipped in the mud—properly! But if you’re going to fall anywhere, you might as well do it at one of the most beautiful carp lakes in Europe.

Meeting This Week’s Anglers

Before leaving, I stopped by the Hotel Princess, a favourite stopover for many of our anglers, to catch up with this week’s visitors. Wishing Paul Holland and the lads tight lines for the week ahead was the perfect way to round off the trip.

Their excitement reminded me exactly why venues like Šumbar matter so much.

Strengthening Our Partnership

While many assumed I’d gone for a quick fishing escape (and trust me, I wish I had!), this trip was all about streamlining our booking process and further cementing our relationship as the venue’s official UK Booking Agent.

And the good news? Dates for 2026, 2027 & 2028 are now live and available to book.

A huge thank you to everyone at Lake Šumbar for the warm welcome. Every visit reminds me why so many anglers fall in love with this place.

Angling Paradise and Lake Sumbar Self Drive Holidays

Why Lake Šumbar Is One of Europe’s Carp Fishing Gems

Just minutes from Karlovac, Lake Šumbar is surrounded by peaceful forest and rich Croatian nature. Once old clay pits, it has grown into a 23-acre carp angler’s paradise, offering clean bottoms, depths from 1–6.5m, four islands, and 20 beautifully prepared swims.

World-Class Fishing

Lake Šumbar is famous for its incredible stocks of specimen carp:

Carp commonly run 15–30kg, with the lake producing fish over 38kg (88lb)
Plenty of 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s
Grass carp, catfish, pike, and perch also roam these waters

The Experience

Whether you want big-lake adventures or quieter, more intimate spots, Šumbar offers something for every angler. With clean clay bottoms, well-maintained swims, and on-site facilities (toilets, showers, food options), it’s the ideal venue for both week-long fishing holidays and action-packed short sessions.

Average catches run 1–5 fish per day, meaning every session holds the potential for a new PB.