Fishing with children in Schleswig-Holstein: License, age & rules
Fishing with children in Schleswig-Holstein: License, age & rules
Schleswig-Holstein is the land between the seas – the North Sea, the Baltic Sea, and countless lakes and rivers make it a dream for families who fish. Whether it's herring on the Baltic coast or roach on the banks of a fjord: there is plenty here for children to discover. And let's be honest: there is hardly a better moment than when your child sees the float (that's the little buoy on the line that indicates a bite) go under for the first time and squeaks with excitement. To ensure this happens without any nasty surprises, it's worth taking a quick look at the rules in the north. Don't worry – we will explain them in a way that even parents and grandparents with no fishing experience will immediately understand.
We explain exactly what a fishing license, youth fishing license, and fishing permit mean on our overview page Fishing with children in Germany.
The most important rules in Schleswig-Holstein for children
- No classic youth fishing license. Schleswig-Holstein does not have its own simplified youth fishing license. Instead, your child can acquire their own fishing license from the age of 12 – provided they have passed the fishing license examination (§ 26 Para. 3 Sentence 1 LFischG SH).
- License-free until 14 – but only with a handheld rod and adult supervision. Anyone who has not yet reached the age of 14 does not need a fishing license if they are "fishing with a handheld rod under the supervision of an adult with a valid fishing license" (§ 26 Para. 2 No. 6 LFischG SH). Both conditions count: only a handheld rod, and the supervising person must be an adult.
- The often-cited contradiction of "12 or 14?" is resolved as follows: They are two different things. 12 is the minimum age to acquire your own license. 14 is the age from which the license becomes mandatory. This mandatory threshold was raised from 12 to 14 as of October 1, 2025 – the age for acquisition remained at 12.
- Attention, the most common trap for holiday families: A tourist fishing license is NOT sufficient for supervision. The state government explicitly states that children under 14 must be "supervised by an adult fishing license holder (not a tourist fishing license holder!)". Legally, the tourist fishing license is a temporary exemption from the licensing requirement (§ 26 Para. 5 Sentence 2 LFischG SH), not a full fishing license. Therefore, if you are fishing on holiday with a tourist license, your child under 14 is not allowed to fish under your supervision.
- Practical training day since October 1, 2025: Only those who have participated in recognized practical training in an in-person course are admitted to the fishing license examination (§ 27 Para. 1 Sentence 2 LFischG SH).
- Fishing levy from 12: Anyone who wishes to fish and has reached the age of 12 is required to pay the levy (§ 29 Para. 1 Sentence 1 LFischG SH). However, those who do not need a fishing license according to § 26 Para. 2 are exempt (§ 29 Para. 2) – so a 12- or 13-year-old fishing with a handheld rod under adult supervision pays nothing. Only those who already have their own license at 12 or 13 and fish alone pay the levy.
- Fishing permit / Fishing ticket: In addition to the license, you always need permission for the specific body of water – a so-called fishing ticket. It regulates where, when, and for what you are allowed to fish. You cannot fish without it.
Special features in Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is interesting for tourists because it offers a tourist fishing license. This is valid for 28 days, can be extended once per calendar year, and requires no examination (§ 26 Para. 5 Sentence 2 LFischG SH). The cost in 2026 is 38 euros online or 50 euros at the authority, including the fishing levy in both cases; the one-time extension costs 18 or 30 euros. Since October 1, 2025, it can only be applied for digitally.
But this is exactly where it is worth taking a second look if children are accompanying you: The tourist fishing license does not entitle you to supervise children under 14. This is explicitly stated in the state's official guidelines. So, if you want to fish as a family in SH, you need an adult accompanying person with a real fishing license – otherwise, the child is not allowed to join in. It is better to plan for this in advance than to be surprised at the water.
Second special feature: Schleswig-Holstein has taken a pioneering role with the digital fishing license. Since October 1, 2025, proof of authorization has been issued digitally via the DigiFischDok procedure; paper licenses will remain valid until December 31, 2030, at the latest. From age 16, you must also carry your ID card, as the digital license no longer contains a passport photo.
How to get started successfully
Start small: A simple float, a light leader (the thin piece of line directly at the hook), and a quiet spot by the water are perfectly sufficient for your first attempts. Children love it when something happens quickly – so choose a body of water where even a small fish might bite so the excitement doesn't fade. It is better to plan short sessions than a whole day, as attention spans are limited, and ending on a high note ensures your child will want to come back next time. You can find an overview of which rod, reel, and accessories are suitable for which age on our page Fishing equipment for children by age.
And because it is often windy and gets damp early by the water – especially on the coast – suitable clothing is worthwhile: robust, weatherproof, and, of course, cool fishing clothing for children and teenagers ensures that your offspring won't want to head to the car shivering after half an hour.
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Where can you get the right license in Schleswig-Holstein?
There is no classic youth fishing license in Schleswig-Holstein. An individual fishing license is possible from the age of 12 after passing an examination, and it becomes mandatory from age 14. For adults who want to start without an examination, the tourist fishing license is the easiest way – since October 1, 2025, it is only available digitally via the state's online service portal (serviceportal.schleswig-holstein.de, with Servicekonto Plus and eID). Online, it costs €38 (28 days, including fishing levy), and at the authority, it costs €50. Children under 14 are allowed to fish license-free with a handheld rod – but only under the supervision of an adult with a regular fishing license; a tourist fishing license is not sufficient for this.
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Always additional: the rules of your body of water
Very important, regardless of where you fish: beyond the general rules described here, the specific regulations of the specific body of water always apply. Every lake, river, and coastal section has its own water management 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 shoreline areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the fishing permit (the fishing ticket) or provided by the issuing body (fishing club, water manager, authority). Check and observe them before every fishing day – when in doubt, the rules of the respective body of water take precedence over the general information on this page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a youth fishing license in Schleswig-Holstein?
No, there is no classic youth fishing license in Schleswig-Holstein. Instead, your child can acquire their own fishing license from the age of 12. Under 12, no license is provided; in that case, only supervised fishing applies.
At what age can my child take the fishing license exam in Schleswig-Holstein?
An individual fishing license is possible in Schleswig-Holstein from age 12, and it becomes mandatory from age 14. Since October 1, 2025, participation in a practical training day is also a prerequisite for the exam.
What is the tourist fishing license in Schleswig-Holstein?
The tourist fishing license is valid for 28 days, can be extended once per calendar year, and requires no examination. It costs around 38 euros online or about 50 euros at the authority, including the fishing levy in both cases. Since October 1, 2025, it can only be applied for digitally and is issued as a digital document or smart card.
Is my younger child allowed to come to the water in Schleswig-Holstein?
Yes. Children under 14 may fish with a handheld rod without their own fishing license, as long as an adult with a valid fishing license provides supervision (§ 26 Para. 2 No. 6 LFischG SH).
Is my tourist fishing license sufficient to supervise my child?
No – and this is the most common misconception during family holidays. The state government explicitly clarifies that children under 14 must be supervised by an adult fishing license holder, "not a tourist fishing license holder." Legally, the tourist license is only a temporary exemption from the licensing requirement (§ 26 Para. 5 Sentence 2 LFischG SH). If you want to fish as a family, someone with a regular fishing license must be present.
Do I need a fishing ticket in addition to the license in Schleswig-Holstein?
Yes. In addition to the fishing license, you always need a permit (fishing ticket) for the respective body of water. The fishing ticket specifies where and under what conditions you are allowed to fish.
We strive to provide you with accurate information and update the pages regularly. The information is provided without warranty. Please point out any inconsistencies to us so that we can update the information.
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Status: September 2026