The Danube River basin of Italy.

Rivers and streams.

Only a small portion of Italy lies within the Danube River Basin, located in the far northern and northeastern Alps. These mountain headwaters include the Spöl (Fiume Spol) of the Inn River, the Drava, and the Gailitz (Slizza)—all clear, cold alpine streams that eventually join the Danube system through Austria or Switzerland. Their remote locations and unspoiled surroundings make them unique among Italy’s river systems.

Spöl (Fiume Spol).
The Spöl rises near Livigno, in Lombardy’s Stelvio National Park, and flows northward into Switzerland, where it joins the Inn River near Zernez. It is a high-altitude alpine stream with cold, fast waters and pristine habitats. Managed by Unione Pesca Sondrio, it supports brown trout, grayling, and occasionally rainbow trout, representing one of Italy’s few natural links to the Danube system.

Drava River.
The Drava (Drau) originates near Innichen (San Candido) in South Tyrol, beneath the Dolomites. Its Italian section is short and strictly protected, forming an important ecological and spawning zone. There are no fishable waters here, but downstream in Austria, the Drava becomes a major salmonid river holding brown trout, grayling, and rainbow trout.

Gailitz (Slizza).
The Gailitz, known in Slovenian as Slizza, flows from Tarvisio in Friuli Venezia Giulia northward into Austria, where it joins the Gail (Zilja). This fast alpine stream passes through deep gorges and forested valleys, with crystal-clear water and stony substrate. Managed by ETPI Friuli Venezia Giulia, it holds brown trout, and rainbow trout, and represents the north-eastern Italian stream within the Danube River Basin.

Fishing Management.

Fishing in the Italian part of the Danube Basin is managed regionally:

• The Spöl (Fiume Spol) is managed by Unione Pesca Sondrio in Lombardy.
  
• The Drava headwaters are in South Tyrol and are non-fishable protected waters.
  
• The Gailitz (Slizza) is managed by ETPI (Ente Tutela Patrimonio Ittico) within Friuli Venezia Giulia, which oversees permits, stocking, and conservation.
  

Regulations.

All fishing in these alpine waters requires a valid Italian fishing license (Licenza di Pesca) and, where applicable, a regional day permit. Most waters are classified as Zona A (salmonid waters), open from late spring to early autumn. Regulations vary by region, and anglers should consult Unione Pesca Sondrio, Provincia di Bolzano, or ETPI FVG for current rules and access conditions.

Guides.

• Alps Angler Fishing Guide