Fishing with children in Berlin: License, age & rules
Fishing with children in Berlin: License, age & rules
In the middle of the big city and yet right in the heart of nature – that is Berlin for fishing families. The Spree, the Havel, Lake Müggelsee, and the many small lakes on the outskirts of the city are real treasure chests for fishing. Here, you and your child can escape the hustle and bustle and immerse yourself in the greenery surprisingly quickly to sit together by the water. To ensure you have the right documents, we will explain the Berlin regulations calmly and without technical jargon – even if you have never fished yourself.
We explain exactly what the fishing license (Fischereischein), youth fishing license (Jugendfischereischein), and permit (Erlaubnisschein) mean on our overview page Fishing with children in Germany.
The most important rules for children in Berlin
There are a few special features in Berlin that you should be aware of:
- Youth fishing license (Jugendfischereischein) for ages 12 to under 18: Individuals who have reached the age of 12 but are under 18 can receive it without an examination; it is valid for one year at a time (§ 2 para. 1 sentence 1, § 3 para. 1 no. 3 LFischScheinG Bln) and may be extended twice for one year each (§ 2 sentence 3 DVO-LFischScheinG). Afterwards, a new document is required.
- Fishing alone? No. The youth fishing license is only valid in combination with a fishing permit, club membership, and proof of expert instruction by the holder of a fishing license A or B – and only for using a coarse fishing rod (coarse fish = fish that feed on plants and small animals, therefore no predatory fish like pike or zander). This is stated verbatim in § 2 para. 1 sentence 2 LFischScheinG Bln. That sounds like a lot, but it is usually quickly organized within a club.
- Fishing examination (Fishing License A) from age 14: From the age of 14, your child can take the exam for the fishing license A. This is the "full" license for independent fishing.
- Don't forget the fishing tax: Fishing licenses in Berlin are only valid if they contain proof of the paid fishing tax for the respective calendar year (§ 3 para. 2 LFischScheinG Bln) – in practice, this is a sticker. For the youth fishing license, the fee for 2026 is 4.00 euros per year, plus a 10.00 euro fee for the license itself. Without the sticker, the license is invalid.
- Very young children under 12 – important: There is no separate license or individual permit for them. The Berlin Fisheries Authority has a general, published regulation for this: The child does not fish independently and not with their own rod, but only with a rod belonging to the adult license holder – legally, the adult is therefore the one fishing. The child may only hold a coarse fishing rod; casting and using a landing net are permitted after instruction, but unhooking a live fish as well as stunning and killing are expressly prohibited. The adult may not leave the child alone with the rod at any time and must hold their own fishing license plus a permit that covers enough hand rods. The Fisheries Authority expressly points out that if the child violates fishing and animal welfare laws, the adult license holder is liable for prosecution. Note: This is a published administrative practice of the Fisheries Authority, not a statutory regulation – it can therefore change without an amendment to the law.
- Permit/fishing card (Angelkarte): You always need this additionally for the respective body of water.
Special features in Berlin
Two things make Berlin special: Firstly, the youth fishing license is only valid for coarse fishing – so your child is (not yet) allowed to fish for predatory fish with it. Secondly, club membership is a requirement. However, this has its own charm: In a fishing club, your child learns the proper way to handle fish and equipment, finds like-minded people, and receives the necessary expert instruction right along with it. Many Berlin families start exactly this way.
How to get started
Plan the first excursion to be short and relaxed – an hour by the water is enough for the beginning; it is better to go more often than for too long. Coarse fish such as roach or bream are perfect for beginners because they bite more frequently and provide a sense of initial success – and in Berlin, they are the right choice for the youth license anyway. Opt for light equipment that fits well in small hands; we show you which equipment is suitable for which age under Fishing equipment for children by age.
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Where can you get the youth fishing license in Berlin?
In Berlin, the Bürgeramt (citizens' office) is not responsible; rather, the Fischereiamt Berlin (the lower fisheries authority) is. That is where you get the youth fishing license ("Fischereischein J") for 12- to 17-year-olds without an examination. Bring along: Identity card or passport with a primary residence in Berlin, a passport photo, for teenagers additionally their school ID, as well as consent and a copy of the ID of a legal guardian. For the adult license (Fishing License A), you need the original of the passed fishing examination. The application is processed in person or in writing, not online.
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Always additionally: the rules of your body of water
Very important, no matter where you fish: Beyond the general rules described here, the special 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 shoreline areas. These water-specific rules are usually stated directly on the fishing permit (the fishing card) or are provided by the issuing body (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 Berlin?
A separate youth fishing license is available from the age of 12. Younger children may come along to the water, but not independently: They may only use a rod belonging to the adult license holder, not their own. An individual permit from the authority is not required for this – the Berlin Fisheries Authority has published this rule generally.
Does my child need a youth fishing license in Berlin?
Yes, from 12 to under 18 years of age, the youth fishing license is the way to go. It is issued without an examination, is valid for one year at a time, and can be extended twice for one year each. Note: It only authorizes coarse fishing and only in combination with a fishing permit, club membership, and expert instruction – and it is only valid with the fishing tax sticker for the current year (4.00 euros).
Is my 8-year-old child allowed to fish along in Berlin?
Yes, but only non-independently. According to the published regulation of the Berlin Fisheries Authority, a child under 12 may not use their own rod, but only a coarse fishing rod of the accompanying adult license holder – who must have a fishing license and an appropriate fishing permit for this and may not leave the child alone. Casting and using a landing net are permitted after instruction, but unhooking a live fish as well as stunning and killing are not. Important for you as a parent: In the event of violations of fishing or animal welfare law, the adult license holder is liable.
Is my child allowed to fish alone in Berlin?
No. The youth fishing license is only valid in combination with a fishing permit, club membership, and proof of expert instruction by the holder of a fishing license A or B – and only for coarse fishing. For independent fishing, the fishing license A is required from the age of 14.
Do I need an additional fishing card?
Yes, the permit (the fishing card) for the respective body of water is always additionally necessary. In Berlin, for the youth license, club membership is also a required prerequisite.
Does my child have to be in a fishing club in Berlin?
Yes, club membership is a prerequisite for the youth fishing license. However, this is practical: In the club, your child receives the necessary expert instruction, learns the correct way to handle fish, and quickly finds new friends.
We strive to inform you accurately and update these pages regularly. The information is subject to change. Please point out any inconsistencies to us so that we can update the information.
Tight Lines – your Fin-Buddies team 🎣
Status: September 2026