Fishing with children in Brandenburg: License, age & rules
Fishing with children in Brandenburg: License, age & rules
If there is one federal state where getting started with fishing with children is particularly uncomplicated, it is Brandenburg. Thousands of lakes, calm rivers, and endless nature right on your doorstep – and a regulation that makes the start really easy for families. Here, you can basically head to the water spontaneously with your child without having to navigate a bureaucratic jungle. We explain the rules to you, and we do it so simply that you will understand everything immediately, even without any prior fishing experience.
We explain exactly what the fishing license, youth fishing license, and permit mean on our overview page Fishing with children in Germany.
The most important rules in Brandenburg for children
The big advantage first, then the rest:
- Coarse fishing without a license – for everyone: In Brandenburg, anyone can fish for coarse fish without an examination and without a fishing license. Coarse fish are fish that feed on plants and small animals – for example, the roach. This makes the family start wonderfully uncomplicated: you and your child can simply get started.
- Youth fishing license from 8 to 18 years: It exists, but in practice, it is mainly needed to be allowed to fish in OTHER federal states. For pure coarse fishing in Brandenburg, it is not mandatory thanks to the general exemption.
- Fishing independently only from 8: "Fishing may be practiced by anyone who has reached the age of eight" (§ 18 Para. 1 Sentence 1 BbgFischG). From age 8, your child can therefore practice coarse fishing on their own. Nevertheless, the rule remains: especially the little ones should never be at the water without the watchful eye of their parents – safety comes first.
- Children under 8 – expressly regulated since April 2026: The state revised § 18 Para. 1 BbgFischG effective April 24, 2026, and for the first time clearly wrote supervised fishing into the law. Children up to the age of eight may fish with a coarse fishing rod, but only under the constant and immediate supervision of an adult person entitled to fish and within the scope of their fishing permit. They are expressly forbidden from "landing with a net, unhooking, stunning, and killing fish."
- Fishing examination: This is only necessary if you intend to fish for predatory fish beyond coarse fishing, i.e., for pike or zander (predatory fish = fish that hunt other fish). It is possible from the age of 14 (§ 19 Para. 2 Sentence 2 BbgFischG); the fishing license is also only available from age 14 (§ 20 Para. 1 BbgFischG). You do not need it for relaxed family fishing for coarse fish.
- Fishing permit/Angling card: You need this in addition; it allows fishing at a specific body of water (§ 18 Para. 2 No. 3 BbgFischG).
- Fishery tax – children are exempt: Since the legislative amendment of April 23, 2026, "persons who have not yet reached the age of fourteen" are expressly exempt from the fishery tax (§ 22 Para. 4 No. 3 BbgFischG). Since January 1, 2026, it costs a flat rate of 12 euros for one calendar year or 40 euros for five years from age 14.
Special features in Brandenburg
The real Brandenburg specialty is the "everyone" regulation for coarse fishing: without an exam, without a fishing license, you can fish for coarse fish together with your child. This is a dream for fishing novices, as you can simply try out if you enjoy the hobby before investing in licenses and exams. It remains important: the fishing permit for the water is still required.
New since April 24, 2026: With the law on reducing bureaucracy in the state of Brandenburg dated April 23, 2026, the state has written two family-friendly points into the Fisheries Act. First, supervised fishing for children under 8 years of age is now explicitly in the law (§ 18 Para. 1 BbgFischG) – previously, this was a gray area. Second, children under 14 are now expressly exempt from the fishery tax (§ 22 Para. 4 No. 3 BbgFischG). For families, Brandenburg has thus become even easier.
How to get off to a successful start
Keep the first trip short and relaxed – an hour at the water is plenty for the beginning; it's better to go more often than for too long. Focus on coarse fish like the roach, which are an uncomplicated entry point in Brandenburg anyway and provide quick success experiences. Use light equipment that fits well in small children's hands; you can find an overview of which equipment suits which age under Fishing equipment for children by age.
To ensure your child is warm, dry, and has the right spirit at the Brandenburg lake, check out our Fishing clothing for children and teenagers – robust, comfortable, and with the fish motif that makes every angler's heart beat faster.
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Where can you get the right license in Brandenburg?
For coarse fishing in Brandenburg, you do not need a fishing license. As an adult, you need the fishery tax stamp (available online from the state or at issuing offices), a fishing permit for the water, and your ID card; for children under 14, the fishery tax is waived. By the way, a youth fishing license definitely exists in Brandenburg: from the age of 8, it can be issued upon application and is valid until the age of 18, but only entitles the holder to use a coarse fishing rod (§ 17 Para. 6 BbgFischG). Anyone wishing to fish for predatory fish must pass the fishing examination and obtain the fishing license from the city or municipal administration. Tip: Fishing permits are available from clubs, fishing shops, and tourist information centers; the fishery tax can often be paid conveniently online.
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Always additional: the rules of your body of water
Very important, no matter where you fish: beyond the general rules described here, the specific provisions of the specific body of water always apply. Every lake, river, and coastal section has its own water regulations with its own requirements – for example, regarding permitted fishing methods and baits, the number of rods, closed seasons and minimum sizes, night and keepnet fishing, bag limits, or restricted shore areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the permit (the angling card) or available from the issuing authority (fishing club, water manager, authority). Check and observe them before every fishing day – in case of doubt, the rules of the respective water take precedence over the general information on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
At what age is my child allowed to fish in Brandenburg?
Independently from the age of 8 (§ 18 Para. 1 Sentence 1 BbgFischG) – without a license and without an exam, as long as it remains coarse fishing. Younger children have been expressly allowed to join in since April 24, 2026: with a coarse fishing rod, under the constant and immediate supervision of an adult person entitled to fish, and within the scope of their fishing permit. Netting, unhooking, stunning, and killing are not allowed for them.
Does my child need a youth fishing license in Brandenburg?
Not mandatory for pure coarse fishing in Brandenburg, thanks to the "everyone" exception. However, it does exist: it can be issued upon application from the age of 8, is valid until the age of 18, and is for the coarse fishing rod (§ 17 Para. 6 BbgFischG). It is mainly practically relevant if your child wants to fish in other federal states.
Is my child allowed to fish alone in Brandenburg?
Yes, from age 8, for coarse fishing (§ 18 Para. 1 Sentence 1 BbgFischG). Not under 8 – only under the constant and immediate supervision of an adult person entitled to fish. For safety reasons, you should not leave your child unattended at the water anyway.
Do I need an additional fishing permit and the fishery tax?
The fishing permit for the respective water: yes, always. The fishery tax, however, only from age 14 – children under that age have been expressly exempt since April 2026 (§ 22 Para. 4 No. 3 BbgFischG). From age 14, it costs 12 euros per calendar year or 40 euros for five years.
Does my child have to take an examination for pike and zander?
Yes. As soon as you want to fish for predatory fish like pike or zander beyond coarse fishing, the fishing examination is required. For relaxed family fishing for coarse fish, however, you do not need it.
We strive to inform you accurately and update these pages regularly. The information is provided without guarantee. Please point out any inconsistencies to us so that we can update the information.
Tight Lines – your Fin-Buddies team 🎣
Status: September 2026