Fishing for Beginners: Gear, Packing List & Your First Target Species
- Difficulty
- Beginner; a trout pond or club water is the ideal start
- Papers
- Fishing licence and permit
- Exceptions
- e.g. MV, SH, Brandenburg, Thuringia
- First species
- Roach, perch, bream, trout
- Method
- Float fishing
You want to start fishing but do not know which licence you need or which rod to buy? This guide gets you to the water in four steps: sort out the paperwork, buy the basic gear, pick the right first species and know the key rules. It focuses on fishing in Germany.
Step 1: Which licence do you need?
In Germany you generally need two things to fish: a fishing licence (Fischereischein) proving you are allowed to fish, and a fishing permit (Angelkarte) for the specific water. You get the regular licence after a preparation course and the fishing exam. Rules are set by each federal state, so there are exceptions (overview by state):
| Federal state | Way in without the regular exam |
|---|---|
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | Tourist fishing licence, up to 28 days |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Holiday fishing licence, 28 days, via a provider with supervision |
| Brandenburg | Coarse fishing without a licence, with fishing levy and permit |
| Thuringia | Quarterly fishing licence, once per calendar year |
| Saxony-Anhalt | Coarse fishing licence after a short oral exam |
| Baden-Württemberg, Saxony | Fishing at certain trout ponds without a licence |
In all other states, the way in is the fishing exam. Angling clubs and fishing associations run the courses. Ask locally about current conditions, as they change from time to time.
Step 2: The basic gear
To start, a simple, robust combo is enough. Expensive specialist rods only pay off once you know which fish appeal to you.
Ready-made beginner sets with rod, reel and accessories are a good start. Make sure the reel is already spooled and spare hooks are included.
Step 3: Your first target species
| Fish | Method | Bait | Why it suits beginners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roach | Float fishing | Maggot, bread flake | Common, bites reliably |
| Perch | Float or small spinner | Worm, small soft lure | Often in shoals, lots of bites |
| Bream | Ledgering | Sweetcorn, maggot, worm | Good sizes, calm fishing |
| Trout | At a trout pond | Paste, waxworm | High catch rates, ideal for practice |
Float fishing for roach and perch teaches you the essentials: casting, spotting bites, striking and playing fish. Predators such as pike and zander come later.
Step 4: Rules and fair play by the water
- Check minimum sizes and closed seasons: they are listed on your permit. Return undersized or protected fish gently.
- Treat fish humanely: fish you keep must be stunned and killed immediately. German animal welfare law requires this.
- Wet hands: only handle fish you release with wet hands.
- Take your rubbish home: discarded line is deadly for birds.
- Carry your papers: licence, permit and ID always belong in your pocket while fishing.
Where to start
Trout ponds and club waters with clear rules are ideal. Many clubs offer taster sessions. For a first fishing holiday, regions with a tourist licence such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are a good choice: you can start without an exam and test the hobby.
Conclusion
First check which licence your federal state requires, and get a permit for every water. Start with a simple all-round combo, float fishing for roach and perch, and a landing net. If you just want to try it, start at a trout pond or on holiday with a tourist licence.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fish in Germany without a fishing licence?
Only in exceptional cases, for example with the tourist licence in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, coarse fishing in Brandenburg or at certain trout ponds. You almost always need a permit for the water.
How much does basic fishing gear cost?
A simple beginner set with rod, reel and accessories is already affordable. Add a landing net, disgorger and a fishing permit.
Which fish is easiest for beginners?
Roach and perch. Both are widespread and bite reliably on maggots or worms.
How do I get the regular German fishing licence?
Through a preparation course and the fishing exam. Angling clubs and fishing associations in your federal state run the courses.