Fishing with children in North Rhine-Westphalia: Licenses, age & rules
Fishing with children in North Rhine-Westphalia: Licenses, age & rules
The Rhine, the Ruhr, the reservoirs in the Sauerland and, it seems, an angling club pond at every turn—North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is a dense network of waterways and, on top of that, a true stronghold for organized anglers. For you as a family, this is a stroke of luck: many clubs, many possibilities, and a set of regulations that was just modernized in 2026. Whether you live in Cologne, the Münsterland, or the Bergisches Land—getting started is closer than you think. We will take you by the hand and explain everything in a way that you can understand immediately, even without any prior fishing experience.
We explain exactly what the fishing license (Fischereischein), youth fishing license, and permit (Erlaubnisschein) mean on our overview page Fishing with children in Germany.
The most important rules in North Rhine-Westphalia for children
Here are the facts, compact and easy to understand—based on the 2026 reform:
- Reform as of July 1, 2026: NRW has modernized its fisheries legislation. The previous youth fishing license was abolished on July 1, 2026. It is no longer needed because the regular fishing license is now accessible much earlier.
- Fishing examination and personal license from age 12: The fishing license may only be refused to persons who have not yet reached the age of 12 (§ 33 Para. 1 No. 1 LFischG NRW in the version of the Second Amendment Act of June 22, 2026). Previously, this age limit was 14. The fishing examination is also possible from age 12—the age limit there dropped from 13 to 12 (§ 4 No. 1 Fishing Examination Regulations NRW). Anyone who passes the exam can fish independently from the age of 12.
- Children aged 10 to 15—without a license, but accompanied: For children and teenagers who have reached the age of 10 but have not yet turned 16, no fishing license is required at all. They may fish if they are accompanied by a person with a valid fishing license (§ 31 Para. 3 No. 3 LFischG NRW). Note: The law does not require the accompanying person to be of legal age, only to have a valid license. The accompanying person must be able to prove the child's age upon request with a student ID or photo ID.
- Children under 10: They do not fall under this exemption and may not fish themselves. However, according to the state’s Children's Fishing Decree, which remains in effect, they may assist under the direct supervision and guidance of an adult who holds a fishing license—this includes holding the rod and reeling in a catch.
- Animal welfare remains an adult's responsibility: For very young children, the adult, knowledgeable companion performs all tasks relevant to animal welfare—i.e., unhooking (removing the hook from the fish's mouth), stunning, and killing. The Children's Fishing Decree explicitly mandates exactly this.
- Digital fishing license: As of July 1, 2026, the fishing license in NRW is available in digital form—as a tamper-proof smartcard with an NFC chip and as proof on your smartphone. It can be applied for online (login via BundID), and the fishing tax can also be paid digitally. Licenses already issued remain valid until their expiration.
- Lifetime fishing license: In the future, the document will be issued once and will no longer need to be renewed. Note: "Lifetime" does not mean "paid for forever"—the validity still depends on the fishing tax, which is paid for one or five calendar years as before.
- Permit/Fishing card: You ALWAYS need this in addition. The fishing license grants the general right to fish, while the permit (the "fishing card") authorizes you to fish in a specific body of water. Both belong together.
Special features in North Rhine-Westphalia
NRW is one of the first federal states to introduce a digital fishing license (following Schleswig-Holstein, which took the lead here) and has removed several hurdles with the 2026 reform: the exam and personal license are possible from age 12, paperwork is becoming digital, the residency principle for taking the exam has been relaxed, and the fishing license is issued for life. For families, this means one thing above all: children with a passion for fishing can start fishing independently much earlier.
A frank note: The reduction to 12 years was only added late in the process—the government draft did not yet include it; it was added in June 2026 via an amendment and then announced as such. That is why some authority and association websites still show the old age limit of 14 years. The authoritative text is the announced law (GV. NRW. 2026 p. 383). If an office tells you otherwise, it is worth pointing this out.
By the way: A mandatory practical day before the fishing examination has been decided, but is not scheduled until 2028. Anyone planning the exam now does not need it yet.
How to get started successfully
Keep the first trip short and relaxed—an hour by the water is plenty for the beginning; it is better to go more often than for too long. It is best to contact a local angling club: they know which local rules currently apply to children and how trial events are run. Focus on coarse fish such as roach or bream (coarse fish = fish that feed on plants and small animals, not predatory fish), because they bite more frequently and provide a sense of achievement. We show you clearly which rod, reel, and hook suit which age at Fishing equipment for children by age.
To ensure your kids are warm, dry, and in the right spirit by the water, you will find the right fishing clothing for children and teenagers with us—robust, comfortable, and with fish motifs that make every little angler's heart beat faster.
Angler T-shirts for children & teenagers
Robust, comfortable, and with the fish motif that little anglers love.
Where can you get a fishing license in NRW?
Since July 1, 2026, there is no longer a separate youth fishing license in NRW. Anyone who has passed the fishing examination (possible from age 12) can apply for the regular—now digital—fishing license. Since the reform, this can be done online (login via BundID) or at the city or municipal administration; the fishing tax can be paid digitally. For the application, you generally need the fishing examination certificate, an ID document, and a passport photo—it is best to ask your local authority for the exact documents required for the new digital procedure. Paper licenses already issued remain valid until they expire and will then be exchanged once. Children aged 10 to 15 without an exam fish without a license when accompanied by a person with a valid fishing license.
Angler hoodies for children & teenagers
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Always additional: the rules of your body of water
Very important, no matter where you fish: In addition to the general rules described here, the specific regulations of the particular body of water always apply. Every lake, river, and coastal section has its own water regulations with its own specifications—for example, regarding permitted fishing methods and bait, the number of rods, closed seasons and minimum sizes, night fishing and keepnets, catch limits, or restricted bank areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the permit (the fishing card) or can be obtained from the issuing authority (angling club, water manager, authority). Check and observe them before every fishing day—in case of 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 still need a youth fishing license in NRW?
No. The youth fishing license was abolished in NRW on July 1, 2026. It has become superfluous because the fishing examination and thus the regular fishing license are now possible from age 12—and because children aged 10 to 15 can fish without a license entirely if accompanied by a person with a valid fishing license (§ 31 Para. 3 No. 3 LFischG NRW).
At what age can my child take the fishing examination in NRW?
From the age of 12 (§ 4 No. 1 Fishing Examination Regulations NRW)—previously the limit was 13. The fishing license is also issued from age 12 (§ 33 Para. 1 No. 1 LFischG NRW); the limit there dropped from 14 to 12. Anyone who passes the exam can fish independently from age 12.
Is my child allowed to fish alone in NRW?
From age 12 with a passed fishing examination and their own fishing license: yes. Without an exam, children from age 10 up to and including 15 can fish without any license, but then only when accompanied by a person with a valid fishing license (§ 31 Para. 3 No. 3 LFischG NRW). Children under 10 are not allowed to fish themselves; according to the Children's Fishing Decree, they may only assist under the direct supervision of an adult license holder.
What is the digital fishing license in NRW?
Since July 1, 2026, the fishing license in NRW has been digital—as a tamper-proof smartcard with an NFC chip and as proof on your smartphone. It can be applied for online (login via BundID), and the fishing tax is payable digitally. Licenses already issued remain valid until their expiration.
Do I need an additional fishing card?
Yes, the permit (fishing card) for the respective body of water is always necessary in addition. The fishing license alone is not enough—it grants the general right to fish, while the fishing card allows it at the specific body of water.
We strive to provide you with accurate information and update these pages regularly. Information is provided without guarantee. Please point out any discrepancies to us so that we can update the information.
Tight Lines – your Fin-Buddies Team 🎣
Status: September 2026