Fishing license (general)

There are four different versions of fishing licenses:

• Annual or five-year fishing license for persons over the age of 14 upon presentation of the fishing examination certificate
• Youth fishing license for persons who have reached the age of seven but not yet sixteen. For this group of people, fishing is only permitted when accompanied by a holder of an annual or five-year fishing license.
• Special fishing license for persons who have reached the age of sixteen and are unable to take a fishing test due to a physical, mental or psychological disability.

Among others, the following are exempt from taking the fishing examination:

• Persons who are not registered with a place of residence in the Federal Republic of Germany
• Foreigners who have passed an examination comparable to the fishing examination and whose home countries guarantee reciprocity.

Possession of a valid fishing license is a prerequisite for the issue of a permit. This only permits fishing on the water specifically designated in the permit.

The permit for e.g. the left bank of the Rhine from river kilometer 438.326 to 546.0 is usually available from local fishing tackle stores. For other fishing waters that are leased to or managed by angling clubs, for example, the permit can be obtained from the respective leaseholder or fishing rights holder or a person or body authorized by the rights holder.

The fishing license and permit must always be carried when fishing and must be presented and, if necessary, handed over at the request of those authorized to inspect it.