Indeed, surrounded by the bountiful waters of four different seas—the Mediterranean, Aegean, Marmara, and Black Sea—Turkey boasts a rich diversity of fish that grace the tables year-round; however, for both peak flavor and responsible consumption, understanding the precise fish season calendar is essential for any seafood enthusiast. This guide serves as your comprehensive introduction, detailing which specific months yield the most delicious and nourishing catches, ensuring you make the best choice, from anchovies and bluefish to turbot and sea bream, thereby supporting sustainable practices while enjoying the culinary brilliance of the sea.
Must-try flavors of January
The first month of the year, January, marks a time when the weather gets colder, the seas calm down, and fish become fattier. This is when mackerel, bluefish, bonito, and horse mackerel reach their fattiest and most delicious state. Bluefish and bonito, in particular, thrive in the cold waters and offer a true feast of flavor. Black Sea anchovies are also at their best in January, whole, fatty, and delicious. Red mullet, mullet, and gurnard are also abundant during this time and are often available at fish markets. Grilled, baked, or pan-fried, these seasonal catches can be enjoyed in many different ways. And if you’re looking for a special dish to warm you up this month, be sure to try stuffed mackerel.
February’s star catch: Turbot
February is an exciting month for seafood enthusiasts, as it signals the beginning of turbot season. Known for its delicate flavor and prized meat, turbot starts appearing in markets during February and remains a popular choice until late spring. Striped red mullet and smelt are also plentiful this month, while anchovies continue to be available in satisfying amounts. However, the season for mackerel, bluefish, and bonito is gradually coming to an end, and they are starting to lose some of their richness. Nonetheless, fresh horse mackerel, picarel, mullet, and sea bass continue to make an appearance on February tables. If you’re looking for a special dish to warm you up this month, don’t miss trying horse mackerel wrapped in sour cherry leaves.
Types of fish to enjoy in March
March marks the beginning of spring, a time when some fish are still at their peak flavor while others are approaching the end of their season. If you come across turbot, don’t pass it up; it’s in season until the end of May, after which it becomes scarce again. Sea bass is also delicious this month, especially if you can find wild-caught or rock bass. Whiting is plentiful in March and tastes great when pan-fried. Mullet, picarel, smelt, and even freshwater catfish are abundant at this time of year. On cool early spring days, turbot stew, grilled sea bass, or crispy fried whiting make for a perfect seafood feast.
April: The perfect month for fish soup
With the arrival of April, the seas come alive, and the variety of fish increases. Turbot remains at its most plentiful and flavorful this month. Snapper and red mullet also appear in markets, both popular whether grilled or pan-fried. Sea bass and swordfish start to show up as well, and for swordfish enthusiasts, April is the ideal time. Additionally, gurnard becomes more available this month, making it a great choice for fish soup.
Sole: The finest catch of May
The last month of spring, May, is when the seas seem to offer their most generous bounty. Fish varieties reach their peak, and markets overflow with fresh seafood. Sea bass, snapper, picarel, whiting, and rockfish are all abundant. Red mullet and striped red mullet, in particular, brighten the counters with their vivid scarlet colors. For those who love sole, May is the perfect season. It’s not just fish—the month also brings plenty of lobster, crab, and shrimp. May’s bounty is something to enjoy to the fullest, as markets slow down with summer approaching. And if you want to try something different this month, sole roulade is an excellent choice.
June: Seabass and sea bream make it to the table
As summer begins and the sea warms, most fish enter their spawning season. Because of this, fishing bans remain in place for certain species, which slightly reduces the variety, but the tables are far from empty. June is synonymous with sardines: this is when their season starts, and as they begin to fatten up, they become ideal for grilling with that unmistakable aroma. Tuna is another variety that can be seen in the Aegean and the Marmara during June. Sea bream, sea bass, and bluefish can also be enjoyed this month, although most are farmed or caught just before their peak season. Grilled sea bream and bass are good choices for summer dining. Rockfish and amberjack also appear along the Aegean coast. For those looking to enjoy fish on warm summer evenings outdoors, sardines and other summer fish are best prepared with lighter, less oily cooking methods.
Popular fish in July
July, with its hottest days of the year, is also one of the leanest months for fish. Since many species are still in their spawning season, fishing is restricted or prohibited. Sardines, however, are plentiful and bring cheer to summer tables. This is the best time to enjoy sardines grilled to perfection. Sea bream also starts to appear in July, especially along the Aegean coast. Additionally, large fish like dentex and amberjack can make their way to the table this month.
August: What’s in season
In August, as summer fades, marine activity increases. The smaller members of the bluefish family start to appear. These young fish, known as “çinekop” or “sarıkanat,” haven’t reached maturity yet, so mindful consumption is essential. Avoiding juvenile bluefish is key for sustainability and future abundance. Sardines remain the highlight of the month, now fully rich in flavor and oil. Toward the end of August, red mullet, striped red mullet, sea bream, and bonito also start to show up; clear signs that autumn is approaching.
September: The end of the fishing ban
For seafood lovers, September feels like a celebration. In Türkiye, the fishing ban ends on September 1, and fishermen set sail once again. Fish markets come alive. Bonito season opens this month; while they’re not yet fully grown, they are caught at the ideal size for frying or grilling. Bluefish also starts to appear. Sardines, sea bream, red mullet, and striped red mullet are especially flavorful in September. After spending the summer feeding in the Aegean, sea bream make their way to the table in autumn. Red mullet and striped red mullet are also abundant, often larger than those caught in July and August. With the season reopening, tables are filled once more with fresh fish. If you want to savor September’s bounty, be sure to try a hearty red mullet stew.
The best fish of October
October is one of the richest months in the fish calendar, when nearly every species in the sea reaches peak flavor. Bonito, bluefish, mackerel, red mullet, and sardines are especially fatty and full-bodied at this time. Sea bass and sea bream are abundant, both wild and farmed. Even rare species such as swordfish, grouper, and dentex make their way to the stalls in October. The best way to enjoy the freshness of October’s catch is through light cooking methods like grilling, steaming, or baking. And when bonito is at its most delicious, a bonito stew (“palamut ekşisi”), perfect for dipping bread into, becomes a true highlight of the season.
The Jewel of November: Bluefish
November is the prime time when fish are at their fattiest and most flavorful. Mackerel, anchovies, bonito, big bonito, gray mullet, sea bass, snapper, and red mullet are all plentiful and delicious. Bluefish reaches its largest and fattiest state this month, the same season as its smaller form, “sarıkanat,” growing into its full-sized form, “kofana.” Horse mackerel also fattens in November, making it perfect for frying until crispy. This truly is the month for seafood feasts. The star of the November table is bluefish, best enjoyed grilled. At its richest, cooked over glowing coals until lightly charred on the outside and tender and juicy inside, bluefish reveals its full flavor.
The standout fish of December
As the year comes to an end and the weather turns colder, fish in the sea become fattier and reach their peak flavor. Anchovies are at their most plentiful and delicious, stacked high in fish markets by the crate. In fact, December is when Turkish people say, “the anchovy has felt the sting of snowmelt,” meaning the fish has reached its richest taste. Horse mackerel, grey mullet, mackerel, bonito, and big bonito also stay on the table this month. Large bonito can be sliced for grilling or prepared as “lakerda” (salt-cured bonito), while mackerel can be baked in the oven. Sea bass, snapper, and sea bream are also excellent choices. December offers fish that are not only at their best flavor but also highly nutritious.
Fish season calendar: Fishing ban and the start of the season
In Türkiye, a seasonal fishing ban is enforced each year to allow fish to reproduce freely. This measure is crucial for maintaining the health of the seas and securing the future supply of seafood on our tables. Typically, the ban runs from April 15 to September 1. During this period, large commercial vessels are not allowed to fish, while small-scale fishermen can catch limited species in specific areas. The ban is critical in the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, as migratory fish such as bonito, bluefish, and anchovies move closer to the coast during this time.
When the sea’s bounty makes it to the table, the flavor of the fish and the joy of conversation become something entirely different. The secret lies in eating fish at the right time, when it’s at its freshest and most flavorful. Anchovies in winter, sardines on summer evenings, and bluefish in autumn; once you try them in season, you’ll notice the difference right away. After the fishing ban ends and fishermen head out to sea with the call of “Vira Bismillah” (“Heave, in the name of God”), the catch they bring back is said to bring the spirit of the season directly to the table. By following the fish season calendar, you can enjoy eating seasonally, delight your palate, and support the sustainability of the seas.
Now that you know exactly when to buy your catch, it’s time to figure out how to enjoy the local flavors: discover the most iconic and essential Istanbul street food experience by reading our guide to Istanbul’s Street Food: Fish Sandwiches.
