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WHICH FISHING LICENSE IS NEEDED IN BELGIUM? TIPS FOR APPLYING FOR YOUR FLEMISH AND WALLOON FISHING PERMIT

If you're a beginner angler or planning to fish in Belgium for the first time, it's not always easy to know which fishing license you exactly need. In Belgium, the regulations differ depending on whether you're fishing in Flanders or Wallonia. With our tips, you'll quickly find out which fishing permit you need and how you can easily apply for it.

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APPLYING FOR A FISHING LICENSE IN FLANDERs

1. WHEN DO I NEED A FISHING LICENSE IN FLANDERS?

In Flanders, you need a fishing license if you plan to fish in the public waters of the Flemish Region.

2. WHAT TYPES OF FLEMISH FISHING PERMITS ARE THERE?

In Flanders, there are 3 different types of fishing licenses: the regular fishing permit, the large fishing permit, and the youth fishing permit. Each permit is valid for the entire year from January 1 to December 31. Online, you can apply for your fishing license for the next year starting December 1. At a post office, this can be done from the last week of December.

THE REGULAR FISHING PERMIt

  • You may fish from 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset.
  • You may use a maximum of 2 rods.
  • You may only fish from the bank or from a platform or pier connected to the shore or anchored in it.
  • You are only allowed to fish with artificial bait. The use of bait fish is prohibited.
  • Catch & Release is mandatory. Every fish must be released immediately and without damage back into the respective water body.
  • You may not transport (bait) fish and must not be in possession of (bait) fish while fishing.

THE LARGE FISHING PERMIt

  • You are allowed to fish both during the day and at night.
  • You may use a maximum of 2 rods.
  • You may fish from the shore as well as from other positions, such as from a boat, belly boat, kayak, or while wading.
  • You are allowed to use bait fish.
  • You may transport and possess (bait) fish while fishing.

Note: There is a limit on the number of (bait) fish you may transport and possess. For bait fish smaller than 15cm, the limit is 20. If the fish are larger than 15cm, the maximum is 5 fish. Furthermore, there is a list of protected and permitted fish species with their minimum and maximum sizes.

A large fishing permit is, in other words, mandatory if you want to take fish home for consumption.

THE YOUTH FISHING PERMIT

This permit is available for young people up to and including 17 years of age.

  • You are allowed to fish both during the day and at night.
  • You may use a maximum of 2 rods.
  • You may fish from the shore as well as from other positions, such as from a boat, belly boat, kayak, or while wading.
  • You are only allowed to fish with artificial bait. The use of bait fish is prohibited.
  • Catch & Release is mandatory. Every fish must be released immediately and without damage back into the respective water body.
  • You may not transport (bait) fish and must not be in possession of (bait) fish while fishing.

3. IS A FISHING PERMIT MANDATORY FOR EVERYONE?

A fishing license is, in principle, mandatory for everyone. However, young people up to and including 17 years of age and individuals participating in a fishing campaign are exempt from the mandatory fishing permit.

YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO AND INCLUDING 17 YEARS OF AGE

Under the following conditions, this group may fish without a permit:

  • Only fish from 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset.
  • Use only 1 rod.
  • The use of bait fish is prohibited. Artificial bait is allowed.
  • Catch & Release is mandatory. Every fish must be released immediately and without damage back into the respective water body.
  • You may not transport (bait) fish and must not be in possession of (bait) fish while fishing. Young people up to and including 17 years of age without a fishing permit also do not need to be accompanied by an adult with a fishing permit.

If you, as a young person, still want to fish at night or with 2 rods, it is best to purchase a youth fishing permit.

INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN AN ANGLING SPORT INTRODUCTION OR PROMOTION CAMPAIGN

If you participate once in a workshop, initiation, or promotion campaign of a fishing association, you can apply for an exemption from the fishing permit. This exemption can be obtained from one of the provincial fishing commissions of the Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB).

4. HOW MUCH DOES A FLEMISH FISHING PERMIT COST?

The fee you need to pay for your fishing permit depends on the type of permit and whether you choose to apply online or pick it up at a post office. Applying for your fishing license online is faster and cheaper. At bpost, you pay an extra tax when picking up your fishing license.

  • Youth fishing permit
    • Online application: 5 euros
    • At the post office: 7.85 euros
  • Regular fishing permit
    • Online application: 13 euros
    • At the post office: 15.85 euros
  • Large fishing permit
    • Online application: 48 euros
    • At the post office: 50.85 euros

5. HOW CAN I APPLY FOR A FLEMISH FISHING PERMIT ONLINE?

If you are Belgian and have an eID, you can buy your Flemish fishing permit in the e-Loket Fauna and Flora of the Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB). You will not receive a paper fishing permit, but a digital fishing license that you can present upon request.

If you are a foreigner and do not have an eID, you can purchase your Flemish fishing permit in the e-Loket Visverloven of the Agency for Nature and Forest (ANB). After online payment, you will receive your fishing permit via email within 3 working days.

 

APPLYING FOR A FISHING LICENSE IN WALLONIA

1. WHEN DO I NEED A FISHING LICENSE IN WALLONIA?

A Walloon fishing permit is mandatory for anyone fishing in the waterways of the Walloon region.

  • On navigable waterways, only a regional permit is needed (see section 2).
  • On non-navigable waterways, you need to have both your regional fishing license and the membership card of your fishing association or authorization from the landowner.
  • On enclosed waters, such as private ponds, you usually do not need a regional fishing permit.

2. WHAT TYPES OF WALLOON FISHING PERMITS ARE THERE?

FISHING PERMIT A

  • You may only fish from the shore.
  • You may use a maximum of 2 rods.

FISHING PERMIT B

  • You may fish from the shore as well as from other positions, such as from a boat, belly boat, kayak, or while wading.
  • You may use a maximum of 2 rods.

FISHING PERMIT C

  • You may fish for carp at night
  • You may use a maximum of 3 rods.

FISHING PERMIT J

This free fishing permit is intended for young people under 15 years of age. However, they must be accompanied by an adult with a fishing permit. An adult can accompany a maximum of 4 young people.

  • You may only fish during the day.
  • You may only fish from the shore.
  • You may use a maximum of 1 rod.
  • You must fish with a single hook without barb or with a squeezed barb.

FISHING PERMIT T

Fishing Permit T is a temporary permit for tourists that gives you the same rights as Fishing Permit B, but for a period of 2 weeks. So, for 14 consecutive days, you may:

  • Fish from the shore as well as from other positions, such as from a boat, belly boat, kayak, or while wading.
  • Fish with a maximum of 2 rods.

3. HOW MUCH DOES A WALLOON FISHING PERMIT COST?

  • Fishing Permit A
    • Online application: 12.39 euros
  • Fishing Permit B
    • Online application: 37.18 euros
  • Fishing Permit C
    • Online application: 120 euros
  • Fishing Permit T
    • Online application: 25 euros
  • Fishing Permit J
    • Online application: Free

4. HOW CAN I APPLY FOR A FISHING LICENSE IN WALLONIA?

A fishing license for Wallonia can only be applied for online via the e-Loket of Maison de la Pêche.

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