Issue or renew your fishing license

If you want to fish/fish in Hessen, you must have a valid fishing license. You can apply for this from your local council.

Anyone wishing to fish in Hesse requires a valid fishing license. The responsible municipality issues or renews this on application. The prerequisite is that a Hessian or Hessian-recognized fishing examination has been passed or that there are circumstances that make it unnecessary to take the fishing examination.
If the respective legal requirements are met, the supreme fishing authority recognizes the state or state-recognized fishing examinations and fishing licenses of other federal states [see general decree of 21.07.2011 (StAnz. 32/2011 p. 1035)].
If you do not have the right to fish in the respective body of water, you also need a fishing permit from the fishing rights holder or the fishing leaseholder of the body of water.

The authority responsible for issuing fishing licenses and youth fishing licenses is

1. for persons who have their habitual residence in the State of Hesse, the municipal council of the municipality in which the applicant has his/her habitual residence,
2. for persons who have their habitual residence outside the State of Hesse, the municipal council of the municipality in which the applicant intends to fish with a handline.

• Examination certificate of a Hessian fishing examination corresponding to the requirements of the Hessian Fishing Ordinance (HFischV) or a recognized fishing examination of another federal state

or
Proof of completed professional or master craftsman training as a fisherman or fisherwoman
or
Proof of ongoing training as a fisherman or fisherwoman
or
Proof of successful completion of the examination in fisheries science prescribed for the higher and higher state forestry service
or
Proof of scientific training in the field of fisheries
or
Proof that you were in possession of a valid domestic fishing license on December 29, 1990 or within the last five years before this date and that you have already been issued a new fishing license after this date

• identity card or passport
• a current photograph
  

Forms available: No
Written form required: No
Informal application possible: Yes
Personal appearance necessary: No

• You must be at least 14 years old.
• You have passed a fishing examination or are exempt from taking it (see "Required documents")
• There are no reasons for refusal (§ 32 Hessian Fisheries Act of November 17, 2022).
  

Information on possible legal remedies and deadlines can be found in the information on legal remedies in your notification

You can apply for a fishing license, including renewal, at the municipal council responsible for you. Depending on the municipality, you may have to appear in person, or you can apply for a fishing license by post or online:

• After successfully passing the fishing examination, you submit an application for a fishing license.
• You submit the fishing examination certificate and a current photograph and prove your identity by means of an identity card or passport (see "Required documents").
• Your municipal council will check the documents.
• Once you have paid the fees, you will be issued with your fishing license.
  

Administration fee in EUR

Fishing tax in EUR

Annual fishing license or special fishing license

10,00

7,50

Five-year fishing license or five-year special fishing license

18,00

27,00

Ten-year fishing license or special ten-year fishing license

36,00

50,00