Fishing in Germany: licences explained in English
To fish in Germany you need two things: a Fischereischein (state fishing licence) and a permit for the specific water. Rules are set by each Land, and some offer a short visitor licence without the exam.
Rules by federal state
The two permissions
- Fischereischein: the state fishing licence. You normally get it after passing the Fischerprüfung (fishing exam), and you also pay the Fischereiabgabe (fishing levy).
- Fischereierlaubnis (also called Erlaubnisschein or Angelkarte): a permit for a specific water, sold by whoever holds the fishing rights, such as a club, leaseholder or owner.
A Fischereischein alone does not let you fish anywhere. You need both.
Visiting anglers
Some Länder offer a short visitor licence without the exam. Schleswig-Holstein's Urlauberfischereischein, for example, is valid for 28 days. Rules differ from Land to Land, so check the Land where you plan to fish.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Fischereischein enough to go fishing in Germany?
No. You need two things: a Fischereischein (the state fishing licence, usually after passing the Fischerprüfung) and a permit for the specific water you fish, sold by the club, leaseholder or owner. Some Länder offer a short visitor licence without the exam, for example Schleswig-Holstein's 28-day Urlauberfischereischein.
Official sources for this pageSpotted something out of date?