Western Germany Lakes & Rivers Fishing Map

Animal Welfare Act (promulgated text of 18.05.2006, as last amended). §1 and §17 Nr.1-2: causing pain/harm to a vertebrate without 'reasonable cause' is a criminal offence. According to case law, catch-and-release (C&R) purely for recreation, holding for photographs and prolonged keeping alive (Setzkescher) may be punishable under §17. Catching fish for consumption is a 'reasonable cause'; fish below the legal size/in the closed season must be released. Permit: No licence provision at federal level; the Fischereischein is state law. Competent authority: State veterinary/animal welfare authorities, public prosecutor.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Animal Welfare at Slaughter Regulation (20.12.2012). Fish must be stunned before killing (blow to the head etc.) and then killed immediately; also applies to anglers. Competent authority: State veterinary authorities.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Federal Nature Conservation Act (29.07.2009, as amended). §23 Naturschutzgebiete (nature reserves; fishing prohibited/restricted according to each area's own regulation), §24 Nationalparke, §32 Natura 2000/FFH, §44 ban on taking strictly protected species (e.g. Edelkrebs, Flussperlmuschel, sturgeon species). Competent authority: State nature conservation authorities (Untere/Obere Naturschutzbehörde).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Federal Species Protection Ordinance (16.02.2005). Annex 1: specially/strictly protected freshwater species (e.g. all native Neunauge species, Edelkrebs, Steinkrebs, some mussels) – taking and possession prohibited. Competent authority: State nature conservation authorities.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Water Management Act (31.07.2009). Drinking water protection zones (Wasserschutzgebiete) are designated by state regulation; in Zone I (reservoir surface and shore) access/angling is mostly prohibited. Basic legal basis for Trinkwassertalsperren. Competent authority: State water authorities (Untere Wasserbehörde), reservoir operators.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

EU European eel stock recovery regulation (18.09.2007). Aalbewirtschaftungspläne for the states and river basins (Elbe, Rhein, Weser, Ems, Oder, Donau…); eel closed seasons, minimum sizes and daily quotas in the states are based on this plan. Competent authority: BLE / state fisheries authorities.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Inland Waterways Navigation Regulation (16.12.2011). On federal waterways (Rhein, Main, Mosel, Elbe, Donau, etc.) entry to locks (Schleuse), dams and weir installations is prohibited; no fishing from these installations. A canal/river fishing permit must additionally be obtained from the holder of the fishing right. Competent authority: Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes (WSV).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Criminal Code – Poaching of fish. Fishing without the permission of the fishing rights holder (Erlaubnisschein/Angelkarte) is an offence. In Germany there is almost no free (permit-free) angling water. Licence: For every water a separate daily/annual permit from the owner/lessee (club, operator, state) is required. Competent authority: Public prosecutor/police.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Hessen: Hessian Fisheries Act + Fisheries Regulation (HFischG 2008; HFischV 14.04.2023 (GVBl. Nr.15 S.318; 29.04.2023-31.12.2030)). §1 species under total fishing ban; §2 Schonzeit + 'Entnahmemaß' (lower-upper size range, slot); §9 ban on artificial light, Hegene, Langleine; §10 Setzkescher rules; HFischG §40 Schonbezirke. Permit: Fischereischein mandatory; Jugendfischereischein; Erlaubnisschein. Competent authority: HMLU; Regierungspräsidien (obere Fischereibehörde).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Nordrhein-Westfalen: NRW State Fisheries Act + Regulation (LFischG 22.06.1994; LFischVO (text in force as of 03.07.2026)). LFischVO §1 fully protected species, §1a Äsche fully prohibited in designated sections, §2 Schonzeiten, §3 minimum size, §6(2) live bait ban, §21 Aal catch log for anglers (until 31.03). LFischG §47 areas around fish passes (Bezirksregierung regulations). Permit: Fischereischein mandatory (exam); Jugendfischereischein 10-15; Erlaubnisschein. Competent authority: MLV NRW; Bezirksregierungen; Untere Fischereibehörden.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Rheinland-Pfalz: RLP State Fisheries Act + Implementing Regulation (LFischG 09.12.1974 (amended 2015); DVO 14.10.1985 (amended 03.05.2021)). Species-specific Schonzeiten/Mindestmaße; depending on water lists, Winterschonzeit (15.10-15.03 total angling ban) or Frühjahrsschonzeit (15.04-31.05 artificial bait ban). Grenzfischereiverordnung with Luxembourg for Mosel/Sauer/Our. Permit: Fischereischein mandatory; Erlaubnisschein. Competent authority: MKUEM RLP; SGD Nord/Süd (obere Fischereibehörde).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Saarland: Saarland Fisheries Act + State Fisheries Regulation (SFischG 16.07.1999; LFO 02.08.1999 (last amended 21.11.2007; check current text)). §2 minimum size, §4 Schonzeiten, §5 fully protected species, §6 2-week fishing ban after stocking, §9 NIGHT FISHING BAN, live bait ban, max. 2 rods. Permit: Fischereischein mandatory; Erlaubnisschein. Competent authority: MUKMAV Saarland; Fischereiverband Saar (delegated powers).

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Bodensee (BW/BY + AT/CH): Lake Constance Fishing Regulation / IBKF decisions (Updated annually). Common closed season and sizes in the Obersee (Felchen, Seeforelle, Hecht, Barsch etc.); for shore angling additionally the 'Bodensee-Angelkarte'. Permit: Fischereischein + Bodensee-Angelkarte. Competent authority: IBKF; BW/BY Fischereibehörden.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Catch & release purely for fun, fishing with the intention of releasing legal-size fish without eating them, and keeping fish out of the water for a long time for photos are a risk under Tierschutzgesetz §17 (court rulings, e.g. competitions/C&R). Fish in closed season or below legal size, however, must be released immediately and carefully. Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Live bait fish: explicit prohibition in BY (AVBayFiG §15 Abs.1 Nr.3), NW (LFischVO §6), BB (BbgFischO §6 – authority exemption possible), BE (LFischO §12), HE (HFischV §14 Abs.5), SL (LFO 2020 §10). BW: prohibited if contrary to TierSchG §§1,17; where permitted, may only be hooked through the mouth/back (LFischVO §3 Abs.3 – de facto prohibited). SN: bait fish must be killed before being hooked (SächsFischVO §6 Abs.1). NI, SH, MV inland water VOs contain no explicit provision; considered de facto prohibited due to TierSchG §17. Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Angling competitions (Wettangeln/Preisangeln) are considered prohibited under animal welfare law (Tierschutz); only 'Hegefischen/Gemeinschaftsfischen' may be held with a permit (e.g. Saarland LFO §13-18). Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Nordrhein-Westfalen: Transporting and using live bait fish is prohibited; bait fish may only be used in the water where they were caught (or in connected waters). Period: all year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Saarland: Night fishing prohibited (including closed waters); the Fischereiverband Saar may grant exemptions. Period: 01.11-31.03: 19:00-07:00; 01.04-31.10: 23:00-05:00.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Saarland: Snagging/spearing, dyed maggots, dyed groundbait (Futter) and Zuckmückenlarven (chironomid/bloodworm) prohibited; live bait fish and other live vertebrates prohibited; more than 2 rods at the same time prohibited; only dead bait fish, from the same water and not of protected (§§2,4,5) species. Period: All year.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →

Saarland: After stocking with fish of catchable size, that species may not be fished for 2 weeks. Period: 14 days after stocking.

The article text is taken from the communiqué. The table above was carried into our own records from the relevant rows of the communiqué and may be abridged. The official publication is what binds. Official communiqué (PDF) →