Fishing in Nordrhein-Westfalen: rules & closed seasons
To fish in Nordrhein-Westfalen you need the state fishing licence and a permit for the water. Pike closed season: 15 Feb – 30 Apr. Closed today (2026-10-23): Bachforelle, Aal, Lachs. Checked 2026-10-18
Closed seasons and minimum sizes
| Species | Closed season | Minimum size | Today |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hecht | 15 Feb – 30 Apr | 45 cm | open |
| Zander | 1 Apr – 31 May | 40 cm | open |
| Bachforelle | 20 Oct – 15 Mar | 25 cm | closed |
| Aal | 1 Oct – 1 Mar (Rhine main stream only) | 50 cm | closed |
| Lachs | protected all year | – | closed |
Compare all states: closed season Pike · closed season Zander (pikeperch) · closed season Brown trout · closed season Eel · closed season Salmon
Licence
Minimum age 12 and a passed NRW fishing exam. From July 2026 licences are lifetime and digital; levy paid separately. Ages 10–15 may fish accompanied by a licence holder. Fees (state ministry page): lifetime licence EUR 18 online / EUR 30 at municipality; levy 1 year EUR 14/22, 5 years EUR 42/50 (incl. fees).
Visitors
Ausländerfischereischein (one-year licence) without exam for people not registered, or registered for at most one year, in Germany, if they show knowledge otherwise (e.g. foreign licence). EUR 20 online (EU residents only) / EUR 32 at municipality, incl. levy.
Notes
Landesfischereiverordnung version 03.07.2026. Licence vs permit: the Fischereischein is a personal, state-issued licence; the Fischereierlaubnis/Angelkarte is a separate permit sold by the owner or tenant of a specific water. You normally need both. Local waters (club/lease rules, Hegeplan, local orders) may be stricter; the conditions on your water permit always apply on top of state law.