Fishing with children in Rhineland-Palatinate: license, age & rules
Fishing with children in Rhineland-Palatinate: license, age & rules
Wine, forests, and water – Rhineland-Palatinate is not just a land for postcards, but also a paradise for fishing families. The mighty Rhine, the romantic Moselle, the Lahn, plus a multitude of small lakes and club waters in the Eifel, Hunsrück, and Palatinate Forest regions: you will find a beautiful spot by the water almost everywhere here. And the best part for families with young children: Rhineland-Palatinate allows youngsters to get to the water at a really early age. 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, youth fishing license, and permit mean on our overview page Fishing with Children in Germany.
The most important rules in Rhineland-Palatinate for children
Rhineland-Palatinate revised its fisheries law at the beginning of 2026 – this has made things significantly easier for families:
- No more youth fishing license: This no longer exists in Rhineland-Palatinate. With the new version of §§ 33 to 38 of the State Fisheries Act (LFischG) (Article 1 of the Law of February 11, 2026, GVBl. p. 44, valid since February 19, 2026), it has been abolished without replacement. The term no longer appears in the current text of the law.
- From 7 to under 18 completely without your own license: "A fishing license is not required for persons who have reached the age of seven, but have not yet reached the age of 18 [...], provided they fish in the company of a fishing license holder who has reached the age of 18" (§ 33 Para. 4 Sentence 1 LFischG). The age range now extends to 18 instead of 16 – and the accompanying person must be of legal age.
- The accompanying person must be able to intervene – for all age groups: "The fishing license holder according to sentence 1 must always be ready and able to intervene immediately" (§ 33 Para. 4 Sentence 2 LFischG). This used to only apply to children under 10 and now applies to everyone from 7 to under 18. As the accompanying person, you must therefore remain within reach at all times.
- What children under 10 are not allowed to do: "Persons before reaching the age of ten are not permitted to unhook live fish or to stun and kill fish" (§ 33 Para. 4 Sentence 3 LFischG). These tasks are performed by the adult accompanying person.
- Own fishing license from age 13: "The fishing license will only be issued if the applicant has 1. reached the age of 13, 2. possesses the necessary expertise for fishing, and 3. there are no reasons for refusal" (§ 34 Para. 1 LFischG). The law does not state a statutory minimum age for the fishing examination itself; the admission requirements are regulated by the ministry's examination regulations (§ 34 Para. 3). Ask there or the state fishing association for details.
- Fishing levy – even for children fishing without a license: For persons with their main residence in Rhineland-Palatinate "who are exempt from the requirement to hold a fishing license according to § 33 Para. 4 Sentence 1 Alternative 1", a fishing levy is charged per calendar year (§ 40 Para. 2 LFischG). There is therefore no exemption for children. The current amount is stated in the fee regulations – inquire at your local municipality.
- Permit/Fishing card: You ALWAYS need this in addition. The fishing license generally permits fishing, while the permit (the "fishing card") permits it at a specific body of water. Both belong together.
Special features in Rhineland-Palatinate
The big plus remains the low entry age of 7 – and since the 2026 amendment, you don't even need your own document for it. Until their 18th birthday, your child can simply fish while accompanied by you, provided you are of legal age and have a fishing license. This saves a trip to the authorities and waiting times.
Keep two things in mind. Firstly, the duty of the accompanying person to intervene is now continuous – you cannot fall back on the idea that your 15-year-old is "old enough." Secondly, in addition to the regular fishing license, there is still a special fishing license (§ 36 LFischG); however, this does not entitle the holder to accompany a child under § 33 Para. 4.
How to get started
Keep your first outing short and relaxed – an hour by the water is plenty for starters; better more often than too long. As the accompanying person, you must be able to intervene immediately at any time anyway – so stay within range, especially with the little ones. Opt for coarse fish like roach or bream (coarse fish = fish that feed on plants and small animals, not predatory fish), because they bite more frequently and ensure a sense of achievement. We show you clearly which rod, reel, and hook are suitable for which age under Fishing Equipment for Children by Age.
To ensure your youngster stays warm, dry, and has the right spirit at the water's edge, you can find the right fishing clothing for children and teenagers with us – robust, comfortable, and featuring 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 the appropriate proof in Rhineland-Palatinate?
For children and teenagers from 7 to under 18, you no longer need a license document – they fish while accompanied by you. What you still need: proof of payment of the fishing levy (if you have your main residence in Rhineland-Palatinate) and the permit for the body of water. Both are handled by the municipal or city administration or the water manager. Your own fishing license is available from age 13 with proof of expertise; the fishing examination certificate is required for this.
An honest note: The amendment is still new, and not all municipal and association websites have updated accordingly. If they still mention a "youth fishing license from 7 to 16," please kindly refer them to § 33 Para. 4 LFischG as amended on February 11, 2026.
Angler Hoodies for Children & Teenagers
Robust, comfortable, and with the fish motif that little anglers love.
Always additional: the rules of your body of water
Very important, no matter where you fish: Beyond the general rules described here, the specific regulations of the concrete 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 bait, the number of rods, closed seasons and minimum sizes, night and keepnet fishing, daily bag limits, or restricted bank areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the permit (the fishing card) or are 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 body of water take precedence over the general information on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
From what age is my child allowed to fish in Rhineland-Palatinate?
From age 7 – and since the 2026 amendment, completely without their own license. Anyone who has reached the age of seven but not yet 18 does not need a fishing license as long as they are accompanied by a person of legal age with a fishing license (§ 33 Para. 4 Sentence 1 LFischG).
Is my child allowed to fish alone in Rhineland-Palatinate?
Not without their own fishing license. The license-free regulation only applies "in the company of a fishing license holder who has reached the age of 18," and this person must always be ready and able to intervene immediately (§ 33 Para. 4 Sentences 1 and 2 LFischG) – and this applies to all age groups, not just the little ones. With their own fishing license, your child is allowed to go to the water independently from age 13.
What is my child under 10 not yet allowed to do in Rhineland-Palatinate?
Unhooking live fish as well as stunning and killing is explicitly not permitted for children before reaching the age of 10. These tasks must be performed by the adult accompanying person. Fishing while accompanied is, however, possible.
From what age does my child get their own fishing license in Rhineland-Palatinate?
From the age of 13, provided the necessary expertise is proven and there are no reasons for refusal (§ 34 Para. 1 LFischG). A minimum age for the fishing examination itself is not in the law – that is regulated by the ministry's examination regulations (§ 34 Para. 3 LFischG). Ask there or the state fishing association for exact admission requirements.
Does my child have to pay the fishing levy in Rhineland-Palatinate?
Yes, if you have your main residence in Rhineland-Palatinate. § 40 Para. 2 LFischG explicitly includes those who are exempt from the license requirement according to § 33 Para. 4 Sentence 1 Alternative 1 – i.e., exactly those aged 7 to under 18. There is no child exemption. You can find out the current amount from your local municipality.
Do I need an additional fishing card?
Yes, the permit (the fishing card) for the respective body of water is always required in addition – even when fishing while accompanied without a license. It permits fishing at the specific body of water, while the fishing license permits it in principle.
We strive to keep you accurately informed and update these pages regularly. 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