Fishing In Bavaria: License Requirements And Regulations

Fishing is a popular pastime in Germany, with a variety of fishing spots across the country. However, if you want to fish in Bavaria, you will need a valid fishing license. This is because fishing is heavily regulated in Germany, and the specific rules differ across the country's states. To obtain a fishing license in Bavaria, you must pass a fishing examination. The prerequisite for the exam is completing 30-40 hours of supervised fishing lessons, which are normally held over 4 to 5 weekends. The exam covers a range of topics, including different types of fish, fish biology and habitats, fishing equipment, and relevant legislation. The license can be obtained online or from the local municipality, and it is valid for life. In addition to the fishing license, anglers in Bavaria typically need a fishing permit, which can be purchased from local fishing shops or clubs. These permits are specific to particular bodies of water and have associated rules and restrictions.

Fishing in Bavaria: Do you need a license?

Fishing in Germany is a popular activity, with a variety of fishing areas across the country. However, if you're planning to fish in Bavaria, it's important to understand the licensing requirements to ensure you're complying with local regulations. So, do you need a license to fish in Bavaria? The short answer is yes.

Fishing License Requirements in Bavaria

In Bavaria, as in most parts of Germany, you need both a fishing license and a fishing permit to engage in fishing activities. The fishing license, known as the "Fischereischein," is obtained by completing the Sportfisherprüfung, or the sport fishing exam. This exam tests your knowledge of different types of fish, fish biology and habitats, fishing equipment, different types of waters, and relevant legislation on fish, animal, and nature protection.

Taking the Fishing Exam

To prepare for the exam, you'll need to enroll in supervised fishing lessons, which typically span 30-40 hours and are conducted over 4 to 5 weekends. These lessons are usually offered by local fishing clubs and shops. Once you've completed the required lessons, you can take the fishing exam, which is administered by the fishing clubs. The exam is generally held once or twice a year, and the schedule may vary depending on the federal state.

Obtaining the Fishing License

After successfully passing the exam, the fishing club will provide you with a pass certificate. This certificate can then be exchanged at the local town hall ("Bezirksamt") for the official fishing license. It's important to note that while the pass certificate from the exam is valid for life, the actual fishing license has a validity of either one or five years and needs to be renewed periodically for a fee.

Fishing Permit Requirements

In addition to the fishing license, you'll also need a fishing permit, which is essentially permission from the owner of the water body you plan to fish in. This could be clubs, fishermen, or private individuals. Fishing permits can be purchased for daily, weekly, or monthly fishing tours and are specific to the respective waters. They indicate important information such as the types of fish found in the waters, any seasonal fish protection periods, the minimum allowed size of catch for each species, and the authorities in charge of the waters.

Special Considerations for Tourists and Visitors

If you're a tourist or visitor to Bavaria, you can apply for a tourist fishing license from a fishing club. It's recommended to arrange this before travelling to ensure you have enough time to complete the necessary steps. The process for obtaining a tourist license is similar to the regular license, but the license is issued directly upon completing the exam and is valid for a limited time period, typically one week, two weeks, or one month.

Compliance and Consequences

It's important to comply with the licensing and permit requirements, as fishing without a valid license is considered poaching and can result in significant fines or even jail time in some cases. Additionally, failure to produce a fishing license when requested by the respective authorities can lead to hefty fines, as it constitutes a breach of multiple laws, including nature protection, theft, and animal cruelty.

In conclusion, if you're planning to fish in Bavaria, it's essential to obtain the necessary fishing license and fishing permit to ensure compliance with local regulations. By following the outlined steps, you can enjoy your fishing activities in Bavaria while adhering to the law and supporting the sustainable management of fish populations and their habitats.

How to get a fishing license in Bavaria

Yes, you do need a license to fish in Bavaria. Here is a guide on how to get one:

Fishing in Germany is heavily regulated, and the laws differ across the country. If you want to fish in Bavaria, you will need a valid fishing license and, in most cases, a separate permit for the body of water you wish to fish in.

Step 1: Get a Fishing License

The fishing license (Fischereischein) is the general license that allows you to fish. To obtain this license, you must pass the fishing examination (Fischereiprüfung). The examination tests your knowledge of different types of fish, fish biology and habitats, fishing equipment, different bodies of water, and relevant legislation.

You can apply for the fishing license at your local municipality, either in person or, in some cases, online. The prerequisite for obtaining the license is passing the fishing examination. You can prepare for the exam by taking supervised fishing lessons, which are usually offered by local fishing clubs (Angelverein) and take place over 4 to 5 weekends.

The fishing license for adults is issued as a lifetime license upon passing the examination. Young people who have reached the age of 14 and have passed the exam are also issued a fishing license for life.

Step 2: Obtain a Fishing Permit

In addition to the fishing license, you will typically need a fishing permit (Fischereierlaubnis) for the specific body of water you wish to fish in. This is essentially permission from the owner of the water, which can be clubs, fishermen, or private individuals. Fishing permits can be purchased for daily, weekly, or monthly periods, and the cost varies depending on the season and region.

You can obtain fishing permits from local fishing shops or clubs. These permits will specify the regulations for the respective waters, including which fish can be found, any seasonal fish protection periods, the minimum allowed size of the catch, and the authorities in charge.

Step 3: Know the Rules and Regulations

Fishing laws and regulations can vary across Germany, so it is important to be aware of the specific rules in Bavaria. Make sure to carry your fishing license and permit with you when fishing and be prepared to show them to supervisors or authorities upon request.

Additionally, there are closed seasons, fish size requirements, and catch provisions that must be followed. These are outlined in the Bavarian Fisheries Act (Bayerisches Fischereigesetz) and the requirements for respective waters.

Special Cases:

If you are a foreigner or a tourist, you can obtain a fishing license as a non-resident. Foreign tourists can purchase a three-month Bavarian fishing license by providing proof of their ability to pursue fishing activities independently in their country of origin. This license costs around €22.50, and you will need two passport photos.

Tourists and visitors can also apply for a tourist fishing license from a fishing club before travelling to Germany. This license is valid for a limited time, usually one week to one month, and the process is similar to the standard fishing license, including an exam.

Young people under 18 can obtain a youth fishing license without taking the fishing examination, but they must be accompanied by an adult license holder when fishing.

Fishing license costs

Yes, you need a license to fish in Bavaria. In fact, you need two things: a fishing license and a fishing permit contract (permission from the owner of the water).

The fishing license is obtained after passing the fishing exam. The fishing exam tests your knowledge of different types of fish, fish biology and habitats, fishing equipment and its uses, different types of waters (lakes, rivers, seas), and relevant legislation on fish, animal, and nature protection. The exam can be quite challenging, especially if your German language skills are not strong.

The fishing license itself has a cost, which varies depending on the type of license and your status (e.g. adult, youth, tourist). Here are some examples of fishing license fees:

• Lifetime fishing license: €35.00
• Annual fishing license for tourists: €7.50
• Youth fishing license: €5.00
• Tourist fishing license: €22.50-€25.00

Fishing permit costs

In addition to the fishing license, you also need a fishing permit, which is essentially permission from the owner of the water (this can be clubs, fishermen, or private individuals). The cost of the fishing permit depends on the specific water body and the duration of the permit. For example, the Müritz, one of the largest and most popular fishing areas in Germany, charges €82 per person per month for the fishing permit. The corresponding tourist fishing permit costs €24 per person per month.

So, to fish in Bavaria, you can expect to pay around €100 per month, including both the fishing license and the fishing permit.

Fishing permits

To fish in Bavaria, Germany, you will need a fishing licence and a fishing permit.

The Fishing Licence

The fishing licence (Fischereischein) is obtained on completion of the Sportfisherprüfung (sport fishing exam). The exam tests your knowledge of different types of fish, fish biology and habitats, fishing equipment and its uses, different types of waters (lakes, rivers, seas), and relevant legislation on fish, animal and nature protection.

You will need to take 30-40 hours of supervised fishing lessons before taking the exam. These normally take place over 4 to 5 weekends, and information on dates and instruction is usually available from local fishing clubs and shops. The exam normally takes place once or twice a year, at different times depending on the federal state.

The pass certificate from the exam is valid for life, but the actual fishing licence has a validity of one or five years. The licence can be renewed for a fee.

Tourist and Temporary Licences

Tourists and visitors may also apply for a tourist fishing licence from a fishing club. This should be arranged before travelling to Germany so that time is allowed to arrange dates and instructors for the tourist fishing exam. The process is similar, but the licence is issued directly on completion of the exam and is valid for a limited time period only. Tourist fishing licences are valid for one week, two weeks or one month.

The Fishing Permit

To get a fishing permit (needed in most areas), anglers must present their fishing licence to the local fishing shop or club. Fishing permits can be bought for daily, weekly, and monthly periods. The permits are specific to the respective waters, so it is wise to choose the area to fish in before finding a fishing shop selling a permit. A proportion of the cost of the permit goes to the lake, sea, and river authorities, who are responsible for keeping the waters clean and stocked with fish.

Local angling stores have a selection of permits for their waters, which indicate:

• Which fish can be found in the waters
• Any seasonal fish protection periods
• Minimum allowed size of the catch for each species
• Validation date of the fishing permit (if there is no date filled out on the form, anglers are liable to fines)
• Stamp and signature of the issuing fishing shop or club
• Information on the authorities in charge of the waters and regional legislation for fishing

Fishing Licence and Permit Costs

The fishing licence fee for life is €35.00. The annual fishing licence for tourists is €7.50, and the youth fishing licence is €5.00.

The Müritz, one of the largest and most popular fishing areas in Germany, costs €82 per person per month. The corresponding tourist fishing licence costs €24 per person per month.

Fishing Licence and Permit Exemptions

In some federal states, they have abolished the licence requirements altogether. At present, in the former Eastern German states of Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, anglers need only buy a fishing permit to fish.

In Brandenburg, this licence only allows fishing for peaceful fish. In some other federal states, you can get a short-term fishing licence for foreign visitors with proof of expert knowledge of their home country.

Fishing rules and regulations

Fishing in Germany is a heavily regulated activity. While the specific rules vary from state to state, there are some general rules that apply across the country.

Firstly, anyone wishing to fish in Germany must have a valid fishing licence, which can be obtained by passing a fishing examination. This is a prerequisite for obtaining a licence, and the exam covers topics such as different types of fish, fish biology and habitats, fishing equipment and its uses, and relevant legislation on fish, animal and nature protection. The fishing exam is usually held once or twice a year, and 30-40 hours of supervised fishing lessons are required before taking the exam. These lessons are typically held over 4 to 5 weekends and are organised by local fishing clubs and shops.

In addition to the fishing licence, a fishing permit is also required in most areas. Anglers must present their fishing licence to the local fishing shop or club to obtain a permit. These permits are specific to the respective waters and can be purchased for daily, weekly, or monthly periods. The cost of the permit contributes to maintaining the cleanliness and fish stock of the lakes, seas, and rivers.

It is important to note that fishing without a licence is considered poaching and can result in criminal penalties, including fines or even jail time. Additionally, failure to produce a fishing licence when requested by the respective authorities can lead to significant fines, as it constitutes a breach of multiple laws, including nature protection, theft, and animal cruelty.

For foreign visitors to Germany, there are special rules and regulations to be aware of. Foreign tourists can apply for a temporary fishing licence, which is typically valid for three months. This licence can be obtained from any local town hall in Germany for a fee of approximately €22.50 to €25. A passport photograph and a valid passport are required to obtain this licence.

In some federal states, such as Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, special regulations apply. In these states, anglers only need to purchase a fishing permit, and no licence is required. Additionally, in Brandenburg, the licence only allows fishing for peaceful fish species.

It is important to familiarise yourself with the specific rules and regulations of the state and local area where you plan to fish, as they can vary significantly.

Frequently asked questions