Fishing with children in Hamburg: license, age & rules
Fishing with children in Hamburg: license, age & rules
Hamburg and water – they simply belong together. The Alster, the Elbe, the many canals and waterways: hardly any other big city offers children so many opportunities to discover fishing right on their doorstep. When your child sees the float (that’s the little bobber that signals a bite) dancing on the water for the first time, the excitement is usually huge. To ensure the trip goes smoothly, let’s take a quick look at what applies to children in Hamburg – explained in simple terms, even if you’ve never fished yourself.
We explain exactly what a fishing license, youth fishing license, and permit mean on our overview page Fishing with children in Germany.
The most important rules in Hamburg for children
- No youth fishing license: Hamburg does not have a separate youth fishing license. There is no such thing as a separate, simplified "child’s license" here – but there is a generous exception (see next point).
- Under 15, no license required – with a hand-held rod and adult supervision: "Persons who have not yet reached the age of 15 may engage in fishing with a hand-held rod even without a fishing license, under the supervision of an adult who holds a fishing license" (§ 9 Para. 2 HmbFAnG). A hand-held rod is the classic fishing rod that you hold in your hand – as opposed to several stationary rods set up at once.
- Your own license from age 12: A fishing license is to be issued if the applicant "has reached the age of 12 and has passed the fishing examination in accordance with § 11" (§ 10 Para. 2 Sentence 1 HmbFAnG). It is issued for life (§ 10 Para. 1). Both rules exist side-by-side and do not contradict each other: your child can have their own license from age 12, but until age 15, they can also fish without one – provided they use a hand-held rod and are under supervision.
- Fishing levy – even for children without a license: "All anglers as well as fishing guides must pay a fishing levy in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg as long as they are practicing fishing" (§ 12 Para. 1 HmbFAnG). This obligation is tied to the act of fishing, not to the possession of a license – so, according to the wording, it also applies to a child fishing without a license. The law does not mention an exemption for minors. It can be paid for up to three calendar years in advance; you can ask the BUKEA about the current amount.
- Fishing permit / Angling card: In addition, you always need a permit for the specific body of water (the angling card). It regulates where and under what conditions fishing is allowed – you cannot fish without one.
For you, this means: you can head out together until your child turns 15 without them needing their own license – one adult with a fishing license, the child with a hand-held rod at their side. And if they want to become independent earlier: their own fishing license is possible from age 12.
How to get off to a successful start
Keep it simple at the beginning: a hand-held rod, a light float, and a quiet spot on the Alster or a canal are perfectly sufficient. Children stay engaged if they get a bite quickly – so look for a body of water with some smaller fish. Plan for short sessions rather than a whole day, because a good, early finish ensures that they will want to come back next time. We show you which rod and which accessories are suitable for which age on our page Fishing equipment for children by age.
Because it is often windy and damp by the water, the right clothing is a must: with robust, weatherproof fishing clothing for children and teenagers, your offspring will stay warm, dry, and happy on the hook.
Fishing T-Shirts for Kids & Teenagers
Robust, comfortable, and featuring the fish motifs that little anglers love.
Where can you get the right license in Hamburg?
Hamburg does not have its own youth fishing license – under the age of 15, you fish with a hand-held rod under supervision without a license (§ 9 Para. 2 HmbFAnG). Those who want their own license can get it from age 12 after passing the fishing exam; it is valid for life (§ 10 Para. 1 and 2 HmbFAnG). For minors, parents must apply for it as legal guardians. The license is issued by the city's responsible authority; the BUKEA (Authority for Environment, Climate, Energy and Agriculture) is responsible for, among other things, fishing licenses for persons without German residency. Please note: License-free permits from other German states – such as the tourist fishing license from Schleswig-Holstein – are not valid in Hamburg. Bring with you: Fishing examination certificate, identity card, and a passport photo. Much can be prepared via the service portal hamburg.de. Remember the fishing levy – it also applies to license-free fishing.
Fishing Hoodies for Kids & Teenagers
Robust, comfortable, and featuring the fish motifs 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 actual 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 fishing and the use of keepnets, catch quotas, or restricted bank areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the fishing permit (the angling card) or available from the issuing authority (fishing club, water manager, or government agency). 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)
Is there a youth fishing license in Hamburg?
No. Hamburg doesn't need one: anyone under 15 is allowed to fish with a hand-held rod without a fishing license, provided an adult with a valid fishing license provides supervision (§ 9 Para. 2 HmbFAnG).
With what kind of rod can my child under 15 fish in Hamburg?
Exclusively with a hand-held rod – that is the classic, hand-operated fishing rod. And only under the supervision of an adult with a fishing license.
From what age is a fishing license possible in Hamburg?
From the age of 12, provided the fishing examination has been passed (§ 10 Para. 2 Sentence 1 HmbFAnG). It is issued for life. For minors, the parents must submit the application.
Is my child allowed to go fishing alone in Hamburg?
With their own fishing license from age 12: yes. Without their own license, no – in that case, the hand-held rod rule with adult supervision applies until their 15th birthday.
Does my child have to pay the fishing levy in Hamburg?
According to the wording of the law, yes. § 12 Para. 1 HmbFAnG obligates "all anglers... as long as they practice fishing" – so the levy depends on the act of fishing, not on the license, and no exemption for minors is provided for in the law. You can ask the BUKEA about the current amount; it can be paid for up to three calendar years in advance.
Do I need a fishing card in addition to the license in Hamburg?
Yes. In addition to the fishing license, you always need a permit (angling card) for the respective body of water. The angling card determines where and under what conditions fishing is allowed.
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