Top 5 Fishing Holiday Destinations
1. Baltic Sea Coast (Schleswig-Holstein & MV)
Best for: Sea fishing, herring, sea trout, family beach holidays
- Tourist licence: SH €38 online / MV €28 at tourist info — no exam needed
- Water permit: Not needed for sea fishing
- Top spots: Fehmarn (sea trout, shore casting), Rügen (herring from piers), Kiel Fjord, Darß peninsula
- Best fish: Herring (Mar–May), sea trout (Sep–Mar), garfish (May–Jun), flatfish (year-round)
- Getting there: Kiel — 3.5h from Hamburg. Rügen — 4h from Berlin. Fehmarn — 2.5h from Hamburg
- Accommodation: Holiday apartments from €50/night, campgrounds from €15/night, many with direct water access
- Charter boats: Available from every harbour, €40–80/person for half-day trips
2. Mecklenburg Lake District (Mecklenburgische Seenplatte)
Best for: Lake fishing, houseboat holidays, pike and perch
- Tourist licence: MV €28 for 28 days — covers all 1,000+ lakes
- Water permit: Day permits from €5–15 at tourist offices and fishing shops
- Top spots: Müritz (Germany's largest lake by area), Plauer See, Fleesensee, Tollensesee
- Best fish: Pike (May–Oct), perch (year-round), eel (Jun–Sep), carp (May–Sep)
- Unique experience: Rent a houseboat and fish directly from your floating accommodation — no boating licence needed for boats under 15 HP
- Getting there: 2–3 hours from Berlin by car or train
3. Brandenburg — Lakes Near Berlin
Best for: City break + fishing combo, cheapest option, pike and zander
- Tourist licence: Brandenburg €12/year — cheapest in Germany
- Water permit: Day permits from €5–15, many waters included in annual club memberships (€30–100)
- Top spots: Havel River, Spreewald canals, Scharmützelsee, Müggelsee (in Berlin!)
- Best fish: Pike (May–Oct), zander (Jun–Oct), carp (May–Sep), eel (Jun–Sep)
- Berlin combo: Fish in the morning, sightsee in the afternoon — many lakes are 30–60 min from the city centre by S-Bahn
- Family-friendly: Lowest minimum age for tourist licence (8 years). Safe, calm lake shores
4. Bavarian Alps — Scenic Mountain Fishing
Best for: Trout and char in crystal-clear Alpine waters, breathtaking scenery
- Tourist licence: Not available — exam required or guided tours only
- Alternative: Book a guided fishing tour (€100–300/day, permits included) or visit nearby Thuringia (tourist licence €25/3 months)
- Top spots: Walchensee, Isar River, Starnberger See, Tegernsee, Chiemsee
- Best fish: Brown trout (Mar–Sep), Arctic char (year-round), grayling (May–Oct), huchen (Jan–Mar)
- Getting there: Munich airport is the gateway. Lakes: 30–90 min south of Munich
- Note: Some of the best alpine fishing experiences in Europe — worth the extra effort
5. Black Forest (Schwarzwald) — Stream & River Fishing
Best for: Fly fishing for trout, peaceful countryside, wine country
- Tourist licence: Not available — exam required in Baden-Württemberg
- Alternative: Guided fishing tours or visit a commercial trout pond (€20–40/day)
- Top spots: Kinzig River, Nagold River, Schluchsee, Titisee
- Best fish: Brown trout, rainbow trout, grayling in clear mountain streams
- Getting there: Frankfurt airport 2h, Zürich airport 1.5h. Combine with wine region tours
Family Fishing in Germany
Germany is excellent for family fishing holidays. Here are the best options:
| Option | Age | Cost | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial trout ponds | All ages | €15–50/day | Throughout Germany |
| Brandenburg tourist licence | From 8 years | €12/year | Lakes near Berlin |
| MV houseboat + fishing | From 14 (licence) | €28 + boat rental | Lake District |
| Baltic Sea pier fishing | From 12 (SH) / 14 (MV) | €28–38 | Baltic coast |
| Guided family tours | All ages | €80–200/group | Major tourist areas |
Trout ponds are the easiest family option — no licence stress, equipment rental available, and children love catching their own fish. Fish are cleaned on-site and can be grilled at the pond's restaurant.
Month-by-Month Fishing Calendar
| Month | Highlight | Where | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Trout season opens (most states) | Alpine streams, rivers | Cold, 0–5°C |
| February | Pre-season preparation | Trout ponds | Cold, 0–5°C |
| March | Herring arrive on Baltic coast | Kiel, Stralsund, Rostock | Cool, 5–10°C |
| April | Peak herring, carp waking up | Baltic piers, warm lakes | Mild, 10–15°C |
| May | Pike season opens, garfish arrive | All lakes, Baltic coast | Warm, 15–20°C |
| June | Summer fishing begins, carp active | All waters | Warm, 18–25°C |
| July | Peak summer, night fishing for eel | Lakes, slow rivers | Hot, 20–30°C |
| August | Carp and zander peak | Warm lakes, rivers | Hot, 20–30°C |
| September | Sea trout season starts! | Baltic coast (Fehmarn) | Mild, 15–20°C |
| October | Trophy pike, autumn colours | Large lakes, rivers | Cool, 10–15°C |
| November | Late autumn pike, char spawning | Deep lakes, rivers | Cold, 5–10°C |
| December | Winter whitefish, Christmas markets | Alpine lakes, trout ponds | Cold, 0–5°C |
What to Pack for a Fishing Holiday
Essential (Must Have)
- Passport / ID for tourist licence application
- Passport photo (not needed for SH online application)
- Cash (€50–100) — many small shops and permit sellers are cash-only
- Landing net — mandatory in most states
- Pliers / disgorger — for unhooking fish
- Sharp knife — for fish dispatch (Herzstich)
- Ruler / measuring tape — for checking minimum sizes
- Rain jacket — German weather is unpredictable
Recommended
- Rod and reel (or rent: €15–25/day at tourist areas)
- Tackle box with local-appropriate lures
- Unhooking mat — protects fish during handling
- Cooler bag — for keeping your catch fresh
- Sunscreen + polarised sunglasses — important for sight fishing
- Camping chair — for comfortable bank fishing
Do NOT Bring
- Live bait fish — illegal in Germany
- Keep nets (Setzkescher) — banned in most states
- Barbed treble hooks (check individual water rules)
Budget Planning: 3 Fishing Holiday Options
| Item | Budget (€22/day) | Standard (€85/day) | Premium (€200/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist licence | €12 (BB/year) | €28 (MV/28 days) | €38 (SH online) |
| Water permit | €10/day | €15/day | €30/day |
| Equipment | €0 (bring own) | €15/day rental | €25/day premium |
| Boat / charter | €0 (shore) | €0 (shore/kayak) | €80/day charter |
| Accommodation | €0 (day trip) | €30/night (camping) | €70/night (hotel) |
| Food | €0 (packed) | €15/day | €30/day dining |
| Daily total | ~€22 | ~€85 | ~€200 |
| Best for | Day trips near Berlin | Weekend getaway | Full holiday experience |
Fishing-Friendly Accommodation
- Campgrounds with lake access: From €15/night. Many campgrounds in MV and Brandenburg have direct waterfront spots — fish from your tent. Popular: Camping Müritz, Camping Plauer See
- Houseboats (MV Lake District): Rent a houseboat for €100–200/night and fish right from your floating home. No boating licence needed for boats under 15 HP
- Holiday apartments: Search for "Ferienwohnung am See" (apartment by the lake). Many include fishing permissions or can arrange permits. From €50/night
- Fishing lodges: Dedicated angler accommodation with equipment storage, cleaning tables, and local knowledge. Found at popular fishing waters
- Farm stays (Bauernhof): Rural farms often have private ponds — ask about fishing opportunities. Great for families. From €40/night
→ Fishing Licence Germany: Complete Guide
→ Fishing in Bavaria: Complete Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to fish on holiday in Germany?
Brandenburg tourist licence: €12/year. Add a day permit (~€10). Total: ~€22 for a day of fishing near Berlin. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is €28 for 28 days — great for Baltic Sea holidays where no extra water permit is needed for sea fishing.
Can I bring my own fishing equipment?
Yes, there are no restrictions on bringing your own fishing gear into Germany. Pack rods in checked luggage for flights (rod tubes recommended). Rental equipment is available at most tourist areas for €15–25/day from fishing shops and holiday parks.
Do I need to speak German to fish in Germany?
Not for tourist licences — the application is straightforward and many tourist offices have English-speaking staff. At the water, these basic phrases help: "Petri Heil" (greeting), "Tageskarte" (day permit), "Schonzeit" (closed season), "Mindestmaß" (minimum size).
When is the best time for holiday fishing?
Spring (March–May): Herring season on the Baltic Sea — the biggest fishing event in Germany. Summer (June–Aug): Best weather, all species active. Autumn (Sep–Nov): Sea trout season on the Baltic coast, trophy pike. Winter: Limited, mostly trout ponds.
Can my whole family fish together?
Yes! Children under 10 can fish alongside a licensed adult in most states. Commercial trout ponds welcome families (€15–50/day, no licence needed at some). Brandenburg allows tourist licences from age 8 — the most family-friendly option.
Is it safe to eat the fish I catch?
Generally yes. German waterways are well-monitored. However, avoid eating pike or perch from polluted urban waters. Trout from mountain streams and commercial ponds are excellent. Catch from the Baltic Sea (herring, flatfish) is safe and popular.
Do I need a boat for good fishing?
Not at all. Shore fishing is excellent in Germany — especially on the Baltic Sea (herring from piers), at lakes (pike, carp from the bank), and rivers (trout wading). Charter boats are available for deep-sea fishing from €40–80/person/day.