If you are a beginner angler or going fishing in Belgium for the first time, it is not always easy to know exactly which fishing license you need. In Belgium, the regulations differ depending on whether you fish in Flanders or Wallonia. With our tips, you will quickly find out which fishing permit you need and how to easily apply for it.
Applying for a fishing license for Flanders
1. When do I need a fishing license in Flanders?
In Flanders, you need a fishing license if you 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, namely the regular fishing permit, the large fishing permit, and the youth fishing permit. Each fishing permit is valid for a whole year from January 1 to December 31. You can apply for your fishing license online from December 1 for the following year. 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 until 2 hours after sunset.
- You may use a maximum of 2 rods.
- You may only fish from the shore or from a platform or jetty that is connected to or anchored in the shore.
- You may only fish with artificial lures. The use of bait fish is prohibited.
- Catch & Release is mandatory. Every fish must be immediately and unharmed returned to the respective fishing water.
- You may not transport or possess (bait) fish while fishing.
The large fishing permit
- You may fish both during the day and at night.
- You may use a maximum of 2 rods.
- You may fish both from the shore and other than from the shore, such as with a boat, belly boat, kayak, or wading.
- You may use bait fish.
- You may transport and possess (bait) fish while fishing.
Note: There is a restriction 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.
In other words, a large fishing permit is mandatory if you want to take fish for consumption.
The youth fishing permit
This fishing permit is available for young people up to and including 17 years old.
- You may fish both during the day and at night.
- You may use a maximum of 2 rods.
- You may fish both from the shore and other than from the shore, such as with a boat, belly boat, kayak, or wading.
- You may only fish with artificial lures. The use of bait fish is prohibited.
- Catch & Release is mandatory. Every fish must be immediately and unharmed returned to the respective fishing water.
- You may not transport or possess (bait) fish while fishing.
3. Is a fishing permit mandatory for everyone?
A fishing license is basically mandatory for everyone. However, young people up to and including 17 years old and persons participating in a fishing campaign are exempt from the mandatory fishing permit.
Youth up to and including 17 years old
Under the following conditions, this group may fish without a fishing permit:
- Only fish from 2 hours before sunrise until 2 hours after sunset.
- Use of 1 rod.
- Use of bait fish is prohibited. Artificial lures are allowed.
- Catch & Release is mandatory. Every fish must be immediately and unharmed returned to the respective fishing water.
- You may not transport or possess (bait) fish while fishing.
Youth up to and including 17 years old without a fishing permit 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.
Persons participating in an angling initiation or promotion campaign
If you participate once in a workshop, initiation, or promotion campaign of a fishing club, you can apply for an exemption from the fishing permit. This exemption can be obtained from one of the provincial fisheries commissions of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB).
4. How much does a Flemish fishing permit cost?
The amount you have 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 fee when picking up your fishing license.
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Youth fishing permit
- Online application: 5 euros
- At the post office: 7.85 euros
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Regular fishing permit
- Online application: 13 euros
- At the post office: 15.85 euros
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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 Fauna and Flora e-counter of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB). You will not receive a paper fishing permit, but a digital fishing license that you can present during inspections.
If you are a foreigner and do not have an eID, you can buy your Flemish fishing permit in the Fishing Permits e-counter of the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB). After online payment, you will receive your fishing permit by email within 3 working days.
Applying for a fishing license for Wallonia
1. When do I need a fishing license in Wallonia?
A Walloon fishing permit is mandatory for everyone who fishes in the waterways of the Walloon region.
- On navigable waterways, only a regional permit is required (see section 2).
- On non-navigable waterways, you must have both your regional fishing permit and the membership card of your fishing club or authorization from the landowner.
- On private 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 fish with a maximum of 2 rods.
Fishing permit B
- You may fish both from the shore and other than from the shore, such as with a boat, belly boat, kayak, or wading.
- You may fish with a maximum of 2 rods.
Fishing permit C
- You may fish for carp at night
- You may fish with a maximum of 3 rods.
Fishing permit J
This free fishing permit is intended for young people under 15 years old. They must, however, be accompanied by an adult with a fishing permit. One adult can accompany up to 4 young people.
- You may only fish during the day.
- You may only fish from the shore.
- You may fish with a maximum of 1 rod.
- You must fish with a single hook without barb or with pinched 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 you may for 14 consecutive days:
- Fish both from the shore and other than from the shore, such as with a boat, belly boat, kayak, or wading.
- Fish with a maximum of 2 rods.
3. How much does a Walloon fishing permit cost?
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Fishing permit A
- Online application: 12.39 euros
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Fishing permit B
- Online application: 37.18 euros
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Fishing permit C
- Online application: 120 euros
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Fishing permit T
- Online application: 25 euros
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Fishing permit J
- Online application: free
4. How can I apply for a fishing license for Wallonia?
You can only apply online for a fishing license for Wallonia via the e-counter of Maison de la Pêche.