Fishing with children in Hesse: license, age & rules
Fishing with children in Hesse: license, age & rules
From the Lahn to the Eder Dam to countless club ponds – Hesse has a lot to offer for children who are enthusiastic about fishing. When your child sees the float (that’s the little bobber that shows you when a fish is biting) suddenly submerge for the first time, the joy is usually huge. There is all sorts of contradictory information circulating online regarding Hessian regulations – but the law itself has been clear since the 2022 reform. We have looked it up for you in the legal text and explain in simple terms what really applies.
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 Hesse for children
- The youth fishing license no longer exists: The Hessian Fisheries Act of 17.11.2022 (in force since 29.11.2022) no longer recognizes it. Section 34 (1) HFischG now only provides an exhaustive list of fishing licenses, special fishing licenses, and visitor fishing licenses. The Kassel Regional Council formulates it unequivocally in its guidelines for fishery supervision: "Since 29.11.2022, there has been no legal basis for the issuance of youth fishing licenses."
- Instead: license-free fishing from age 10 to under 16. Anyone who has reached the age of ten and has not yet reached the age of sixteen may fish with a hand-held rod without their own fishing license – under the supervision of an adult with a valid fishing license (Section 29 (4) sentence 1 HFischG). Important: The supervisor must be able to prove the child's age upon request with an official photo ID (Section 29 (4) sentence 2 HFischG); if they fail to do so, it is an administrative offense (Section 51 no. 11 HFischG).
- Own license from age 14 – the exam has no minimum age: A fishing license is issued from the age of 14 (Section 30 (1) no. 1 HFischG). Neither Section 31 HFischG nor the exhaustive list of admission obstacles in Section 22 (4) HFischV specifies a minimum age for the fishing exam itself. For minors, only the written consent of their legal guardian must be attached (Section 22 (1) sentence 2 HFischV).
- Very young children as "helpers": Up to the age of 10, children may assist an authorized person in fishing using that person's hand-held rods, provided they are being introduced to fishing in the process (Section 29 (3) HFischG). The law limits the number: either children who live together in one household, or at most two children from different households. The children must remain within the immediate area of influence of the authorized person (Section 29 (2) sentence 4 HFischG).
- Animal welfare: Unhooking, stunning, and killing remains a job for adults. Unlike Bavaria, for example, Hesse does not have an explicit rule on this in fisheries law – however, the Federal Animal Welfare Act applies with its requirements for expertise when killing vertebrates. Please do not leave these tasks to your child.
- Fishing permit / Angling card: You always need an additional permit for the respective body of water. This explicitly also applies to 10 to 15-year-olds fishing without a license – Section 16 (1) sentence 1 HFischG specifically mentions them as being eligible for permits.
- Fisheries levy – for children too: Anyone who has their habitual residence in Hesse must pay it, including youths under Section 29 (4) (Section 35 (1) sentence 4 HFischG). It amounts to 3.50 euros per calendar year for these youths and 10.00 euros for license holders (Section 27 (1) HFischV).
Special features in Hesse
Hesse fundamentally reformed its Fisheries Act in 2022. For this reason, contradictory information still circulates online – this is not due to the law, however, but to advice websites and individual municipal pages that still quote the old Fisheries Act of 2010. The current law is clear: no more youth fishing licenses, but rather license-free fishing with a hand-held rod from age 10 to under 16 under supervision.
New since January 1, 2026: The transitional regulation of Section 56 (2) HFischG expired on 31.12.2025. Since then, regular fishing licenses are only issued for life (Section 34 (1) no. 1 HFischG) – annual, five-year, and ten-year licenses no longer exist. Only special fishing licenses and visitor fishing licenses remain time-limited. Regardless of this, the fisheries levy continues to be collected annually.
An honest note on this: As of today, several state and municipal websites still list the old time-limited license types. The legal text is the authoritative source. If you are told something else at the municipal office, kindly refer them to Section 34 (1) HFischG.
How to get started
Start in a relaxed way: a simple float, a light leader, and a quiet spot are enough for the first attempts. Children stay engaged if they catch a small fish quickly – so choose a suitable body of water. Better to plan for short sessions and stop while the enthusiasm is still there. You can find a clear overview of which rod, reel, and accessories are suitable for which age on our page Fishing equipment for children by age.
And because it often gets fresh and damp by the water, suitable clothing is worth it: with robust, weatherproof fishing apparel for children and teenagers, your offspring will stay warm and in a good mood by the water.
Children & Teenager Angler T-Shirts
Robust, comfortable, and with the fish motif that little anglers love.
Where can you get the appropriate proof in Hesse?
In Hesse, no new youth fishing licenses have been issued since November 29, 2022. For 10 to 15-year-olds, there is instead the certificate of the paid fisheries levy – issued by the municipal council of your place of residence (municipal or city administration, often the Citizens' Office/Regulatory Office), Section 36 HFischG. Fishing is done with a hand-held rod under the supervision of an adult with a valid fishing license; under 10 years old, only as a "helper" with their rod. Bring along: ID card/proof, a passport photo, and the consent of the parents; the fisheries levy can be paid for up to four years in advance (Section 35 (1) sentence 2 HFischG). Don't forget the fishing permit for the body of water. Details and fees vary by municipality.
Children & Teenager Angler Hoodies
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: In addition to the general rules described here, the specific provisions 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 baits, the number of rods, closed seasons and minimum sizes, night fishing and keep-net fishing, harvest limits, or closed shore areas. These water-specific rules are usually printed directly on the permit (the angling card) or can be found at the issuing authority (fishing club, water manager, authority). Check and observe them before every day of fishing – 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 still a youth fishing license in Hesse?
No. With the Hessian Fisheries Act of 17.11.2022 (in force since 29.11.2022), the legal basis for it has been abolished; Section 34 (1) HFischG only recognizes fishing licenses, special fishing licenses, and visitor fishing licenses. Instead, 10 to under 16-year-olds may fish without their own license using a hand-held rod under the supervision of an adult with a valid fishing license (Section 29 (4) HFischG). If you read otherwise online, it usually comes from pages that are still quoting the old 2010 law.
At what age can my child take the fishing exam in Hesse?
There is no statutory minimum age for the exam in Hesse – neither Section 31 HFischG nor the exhaustive list in Section 22 (4) HFischV specifies one. For minors, the consent of the parents is required (Section 22 (1) sentence 2 HFischV). However, the fishing license is only issued from the age of 14 (Section 30 (1) no. 1 HFischG). Some administrative pages mention "from 14" for the exam as well; that is administrative practice, not stated in the law.
Is my 9-year-old child allowed to fish with me in Hesse?
Yes, as a "helper." Up to the age of 10, children may assist an authorized person in fishing using that person's hand-held rods, if they are being introduced to fishing in the process (Section 29 (3) HFischG) – and they must remain within their immediate area of influence. The law limits this to children from a common household or at most two children from different households. Please leave unhooking, stunning, and killing to the adult person – the Federal Animal Welfare Act mandates this.
Must an adult always be present for 10 to 15-year-olds in Hesse?
Yes. They may only fish with a hand-held rod and only under the supervision of an adult with a valid fishing license (Section 29 (4) sentence 1 HFischG). The supervisor must be able to prove the child's age upon request with an official photo ID. From their 16th birthday, this exception no longer applies – then an own fishing license is required.
Do children in Hesse also need an angling card and the fisheries levy?
Yes, both. Section 16 (1) sentence 1 HFischG explicitly lists youths fishing without a license as eligible for permits – so it doesn't work for them without a fishing permit either. And anyone who has their habitual residence in Hesse pays the fisheries levy: 3.50 euros per calendar year for youths under Section 29 (4), 10.00 euros for license holders (Section 35 (1) sentence 4 HFischG, Section 27 (1) HFischV).
We strive to provide you with accurate information and update the pages regularly. The information is provided without guarantee. Please notify us of any inconsistencies so that we can update the information.
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As of: September 2026