Fishing with children in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: permits, age & regulations
Fishing with children in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: permits, age & regulations
If there is one federal state where fishing with children is particularly easy, it’s Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The Baltic Sea, bays, a thousand lakes, and calm rivers – combined with regulations that are more family-friendly than almost anywhere else. When your child sees the float (the small bobber that indicates a bite) go under for the first time here, there is usually nothing standing in the way of a big grin. Let’s take a look at why M-V is so relaxed for kids (and vacationers) – explained in a way that is easy to understand, even if you have never fished yourself.
We explain exactly what the fishing license, youth fishing license, and fishing permit mean on our overview page Fishing with children in Germany.
The most important rules in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania for children
- No mandatory fishing license until the age of 14: This is the major special feature. “A person who engages in fishing and has reached the age of 14 requires official permission (fishing license)” – according to Section 7 (1) sentence 1 of the LFischG M-V. Therefore, below that age: no license or test required. Wonderfully family-friendly.
- No legal requirement for adult supervision: Unlike in many other federal states, the M-V Fisheries Act does not mandate an adult supervisor for children under 14. For safety reasons, a watchful eye should, of course, still be kept at the water – but it is not legally required.
- Individual fishing permit required: Anyone fishing in a body of water where they do not personally hold the fishing rights needs a fishing permit issued to them and must carry it (§ 6 LFischG M-V). This regulation applies regardless of age – so a child fishing independently needs one too. The LALLF explicitly emphasizes: "There are no free-to-fish waters in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania!" Without a permit, it is considered poaching.
- Fishing on Dad’s card – tolerated, not officially sanctioned: If a child fishes under the supervision of an holder of valid fishing documents within the scope of their validity, the fishing authority will not object. Important: This is an declared practice of non-objection by the LALLF, not a legal entitlement – and the adult's fishing permit must cover enough fishing rods (if three rods are allowed, the child takes one, the adult takes two).
- Lower limit: 7 years – but only as an administrative interpretation. The LALLF assumes that children under 7 may not fish independently due to parental duty of supervision. This age limit is not in the Fisheries Act; it is derived from general civil law.
- Individual fishing license possible from age 10: Upon application, anyone who has reached the age of 10 and has passed the fishing license examination or is exempt from it can receive one (§ 7 (3) LFischG M-V). It becomes mandatory from age 14.
- Fishing levy: In M-V, three things always go together – fishing license, fishing permit, and proof of the fishing levy (currently 10 euros per year). Those not subject to the fishing license requirement are also exempt from the levy (§ 9 (1) sentence 2 LFischG M-V) – so it does not apply to children under 14.
Special features in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
Particularly practical for vacationers is the tourist fishing license: It is valid for 28 days, requires no examination, costs around 24 euros including the fishing levy, and is open to everyone. This allows you as an adult to spontaneously try your hand at fishing during your vacation and take your child along – without the hassle of a fishing exam. Especially for families who just want to see if they enjoy fishing, this is a real stroke of luck. Combined with the license exemption for children under 14, M-V is arguably the perfect entry-level federal state.
How to get started successfully
Take advantage of the relaxed rules and simply get started: a light float, a quiet spot at a lake or bay, and a bit of patience are enough for the first attempts. Children stay engaged if they get bites quickly – so choose a body of water rich in fish. Keep the first sessions relatively short and stop while the enthusiasm is still high. You can find a clear guide on which rod, reel, and accessories fit which age on our page Fishing equipment for children by age.
Because it is often windy and damp on the coast and at the lake, suitable clothing is worth it: With robust, weatherproof fishing apparel for children and teenagers, your kids will stay warm, dry, and in a good mood at the water.
Kids & Teen Angler T-Shirts
Robust, comfortable, and featuring the fish motifs little anglers love.
Where can you get the right license in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
Children under 14 do not need a fishing license at all in M-V – just a fishing permit for the specific body of water. The law does not mandate an adult companion for them. From age 14, the tourist fishing license (no exam required) is the most straightforward path: Since Dec 10, 2024, it has been available completely online at erlaubnis.angeln-mv.de (as a PDF for smartphones or for printing) as well as at municipal offices such as the public order office. Neither the law nor the LALLF cites an explicit age limit for the tourist fishing license – if your child wants to use it, just check with the issuing authority if in doubt. The regular lifetime fishing license is issued by the responsible authority in your city or municipality; it is possible starting at age 10 with a passed exam.
Kids & Teen Angler Hoodies
Robust, comfortable, and featuring the fish motifs little anglers love.
Always additional: the rules of your specific body of water
Very important, no matter where you fish: Beyond the general rules described here, the specific provisions of the concrete body of water always apply. Every lake, river, and coastal section has its own fishing regulations with its own requirements – for example, regarding permitted fishing methods and bait, the number of rods, closed seasons and minimum sizes, night and keepnet fishing, harvest limits, or closed shore areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the fishing permit (the fishing card) or available from the issuing authority (fishing club, water manager, agency). Check and observe them before every fishing day – if in doubt, the rules of the respective body of water take precedence over the general information on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does my child need a fishing license in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
No. The fishing license requirement only applies from the age of 14 (§ 7 (1) sentence 1 LFischG M-V). A test or license is therefore not necessary below that age – and the fishing levy is also waived.
Do children under 14 still need a fishing card in M-V?
Yes, if they fish independently, they need their own fishing permit (§ 6 LFischG M-V) – there are no free-to-fish waters in M-V. If, on the other hand, the child fishes under the supervision of an adult within the scope of their documents, the fishing authority will not object as long as their fishing permit covers enough rods. However, do not rely on this as a legal right – it is a tolerated practice by the authority, not a statutory regulation.
Does an adult have to be present when my child fishes in M-V?
Legally, no: The M-V Fisheries Act does not mandate an adult companion for children under 14. However, the LALLF assumes that children under 7 may not fish independently due to parental duty of supervision – but this limit is not in the Fisheries Act. And regardless of all regulations: An adult should always be within reach at the water.
What is the tourist fishing license in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania?
The tourist fishing license is valid for 28 days, requires no exam, costs about 24 euros including the fishing levy, and is open to everyone. It is ideal for spontaneously trying your hand at fishing while on vacation – and you can take your child along.
At what age is a fishing license required in M-V?
It becomes mandatory upon reaching the age of 14 (§ 7 (1) sentence 1 LFischG M-V). You can obtain one voluntarily earlier: from the age of 10, provided that the fishing license examination has been passed or waived (§ 7 (3) LFischG M-V).
Is Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania good for beginners fishing with children?
Yes, very good. Children under 14 do not need a fishing license, and adults can get started easily with the exam-free tourist fishing license. In combination, M-V is therefore one of the most beginner-friendly federal states for fishing with children.
We strive to provide you with accurate information 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 🎣
As of: September 2026