Fishing in inland and border waters
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Who can fish?
Anyone aged 14 or over must hold a licence to fish in inland waters or waters bordering Germany.
Minors under the age of 14 may fish without a licence, under the supervision of an adult with a valid licence.
Where to fish
- Inland waters
- Waters bordering Germany
Luxembourg's inland waters encompass all rivers, lakes and ponds located entirely within Luxembourg's territory. They fall into 2 categories:
Category 1 waters
These are navigable and floatable waters on which the right to fish belongs to the state (public waters).
Examples:
- the Sûre on the course of the Esch-sur-Sûre dam reservoirs (upstream of this locality);
- the section between the old Ettelbruck bridge and the mouth of the Our river at Wallendorf.
Category 2 waters
These are non-navigable and non-floatable waters (leased waters), where fishing rights belong to the owners of the surrounding land.
Examples:
- the Sûre upstream from the Esch-sur-Sûre dam to the Belgian border;
- downstream from the dam to the old Ettelbruck bridge;
- all other inland waters within the country.
Fishing in these private waters is prohibited without the written authorisation of the holder of the fishing rights.
Types of licences for inland waters
- ordinary licence: authorises fishing in category 2 waters, provided that the person holds the fishing rights or has obtained written authorisation from the holder;
- special type A licence: includes the ordinary licence and allows fishing from the shore in category 1 waters;
- special type B licence: authorises fishing in category 1 waters from a boat, and also includes the rights conferred by the ordinary licence and the special type A licence.
Cost of fishing in inland waters
- ordinary licence: EUR 18/year, EUR 4/month;
- special type A licence: EUR 30/year, EUR 6/month;
- special type B licence: EUR 40/year, EUR 8/month.
Fishing zones
The rivers bordering Germany comprise the Moselle, the Sûre and the Our.
They are located at:
- the Moselle from Schengen to Wasserbillig;
- the Sûre from Wasserbillig to Wallendorf; and
- the Our from the tri-border area near Lieler to Wallendorf, including the Vianden reservoir.
Types of licences recognised by both countries
- type A licence (Moselle, Sûre, Our): handline fishing from the bank;
- category B licence (Moselle and Sûre): handline fishing from a boat, or from a floating or fixed dock. Category B licences include the rights granted by category A licences;
- a specific fishing licence (issued by the Société électrique de l'Our) is required to fish along the banks of the Vianden dam lake.
Fishing in the Sûre and the Our is allowed with a single hand-held fishing rod only. With respect to fishing in the Moselle, 2 hand-held fishing rods may be used.
Cost of fishing in waters bordering Germany
- category A fishing licence: EUR 15/year; EUR 10/month; EUR 5/week;
- category B fishing licence: EUR 40/year; 25 EUR/month; EUR 10/week;
- for beneficiaries of a cost-of-living allowance and Class B or C disability cardholders, the price of the category A licence is EUR 10/year. If asked to present their licence during an inspection, the licence must bear the words:
- 'Uniquement valable avec le certificat d’allocation de vie chère' (valid only if presented together with the certificate of the cost-of-living allowance); or
- 'Uniquement valable avec la carte d’invalidité' (valid only if presented together with the disability card).
How to obtain your licence
You can submit your application:
- online using MyGuichet.lu; or
- in person at the offices of the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (Administration de l’enregistrement, des domaines et de la TVA) in Luxembourg, Diekirch, Grevenmacher, Esch-sur-Alzette.
When applying, you must:
- provide a valid identity document (ID card or passport);
- choose between inland waters or border waters;
- select the type of licence you want (ordinary, special type A or type B);
- set the validity period (one week, one month or one year);
- set the start date of validity;
- pay the fees online or in person on site.
The licence is issued in PDF format after the online or in-person payment has been processed.
Is it possible to fish without a licence?
Fishing without a licence is authorised, subject to payment of a fee, in certain ponds and bodies of water:
- ponds: Boulaide, Clemency, Clervaux/Reuler, Erpeldange/Ettelbruck, Fischbach/Mersch, Lamadelaine, Kockelscheuer, Olingen, Pétange, Pratz, Redange-sur-Attert, Remerschen;
- lakes: Echternach, Weiswampach;
- others: Gander, Mondorf-les-Bains park.
Stay informed and respect nature
Before going fishing, take the time to inform yourself and prepare properly. This will enable you to enjoy your hobby legally and in an environmentally friendly manner.
It is advisable to consult the applicable rules concerning:
- the authorised fishing periods;
- protected species;
- catch quotas;
- specific fishing areas.
In the event of an inspection, you must, upon request:
- show your fishing licence and ID;
- provide a written authorisation if you are fishing on private property.
As the rules may change, it is advisable to check for updates regularly.
Before setting off:
- check your equipment (rods, bait, suitable clothing);
- respect the number of lines authorised for each area.
While fishing:
- fish only in authorised areas;
- do not litter;
- protect aquatic fauna and flora;
- be mindful of the peace and quiet of the area, and other users.
Get involved in protecting the environment
Join local associations that organise:
- river clean-ups;
- awareness-raising campaigns;
- community events.
Attend the information meetings offered by certain communes.
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