Brown trout closed season in Germany: all states compared
The closed season for brown trout differs by German state; we compare 13 states. Minimum sizes range from 25 to 30 cm. Today (2026-10-23) it is in closed season in 13 states: Baden-Württemberg, Bayern, Brandenburg, Bremen, Hamburg, Hessen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Niedersachsen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, Sachsen, Schleswig-Holstein, Thüringen. As of 2026-10-23
Brown trout closed season by state
| State | Closed season | Days | Minimum size | Today | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | 1 Oct – end Feb | 152 | 25 cm; 35 cm Hochrhein; 20 cm in brooks above 800 m | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Bayern | 1 Oct – 15 Mar | 166 | 26 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Brandenburg | 16 Oct – 15 Apr | 182 | 30 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Bremen | 15 Oct – 15 Mar | 152 | 30 cm (taking only where stocked) | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Hamburg | 15 Oct – 15 Feb | 124 | harvest slot 20–40 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Hessen | 1 Oct – 31 Mar | 182 | harvest slot 25–60 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 1 Oct – 31 Mar | 182 | 30 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Niedersachsen | 15 Oct – 15 Feb | 124 | 25 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Nordrhein-Westfalen | 20 Oct – 15 Mar | 147 | 25 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Rheinland-Pfalz | 15 Oct – 15 Mar (where no general winter closure applies) | 152 | 25 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Sachsen | 1 Oct – 30 Apr | 212 | 28 cm | closed | 2026-10-18 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 1 Oct – 28 Feb (inland waters) | 151 | 30 cm | closed | 2026-10-23 |
| Thüringen | 1 Oct – 31 Mar | 182 | 30 cm | closed | 2026-10-23 |
Length of closed season
FAQ
When is the closed season for brown trout in Germany?
It depends on the state – see the table. Many states protect predatory fish in spring during spawning.
Is it the same on every water?
No. Local water rules and permits can be stricter. The official regulation and your permit always apply.
Other species: Pike · Zander (pikeperch) · Eel · Salmon