The government of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt has voted to liberalize its fishing law. The amendment abolishes the requirement for children under the age of 14 to hold a state fishing permit, lowering the minimum age to eight. From now on, young anglers will only need permission from the owner or leaseholder of the fishing ground. The change, proposed by the CDU and SPD coalition, aims to promote fishing among young people and simplify procedures. It also introduces a youth category for people aged 14-18 and the possibility of suspending a permit. The new regulations will come into force at the beginning of 2027.

Abolition of the state permit

Children aged 8-14 will no longer need to obtain a state fishing permit. Consent from the owner or leaseholder of the water will be sufficient for legal fishing. Persons over the age of 14 will still be subject to standard requirements.

New youth category

A special, cheaper permit category for young people aged 14-18 has been introduced. This permit will be valid for the entire calendar year, although it can also be suspended for up to 12 months.

Goal: promotion of fishing

The CDU and SPD coalition argues that the change aims to simplify access to fishing for young people, which it sees as a valuable form of leisure and connecting with nature. The new regulations will come into force on January 1, 2027.

The German state of Saxony-Anhalt has decided on a significant liberalization of fishing regulations, lowering the minimum age for independent fishing. From January 1, 2027, children from the age of eight will be able to fish legally, provided they obtain the consent of the owner or leaseholder of the fishing ground. The key change is the abolition of the obligation to hold a state fishing permit for persons under the age of 14. Until now, young fishing enthusiasts, regardless of age, had to go through the same procedures as adults, which, according to the ruling CDU and SPD coalition, discouraged this hobby. Fishing in Germany is subject to strict regulations at the state level, not the federal level. Traditionally, it required passing an exam on knowledge of fish, water protection, and regulations, resulting in the issuance of a state permit. This system, while ensuring resource protection, was often criticized for its bureaucratic complexity, especially in the context of recreational fishing for children. The reform, passed by the state parliament Landtag, also introduces a new permit category for young people aged 14-18. It will be cheaper than the standard one and valid for the entire calendar year, with an option to suspend it for up to 12 months. The permit issuance process is also to be streamlined and more digitized. During the debate, Saxony-Anhalt's Minister of Agriculture and Environment, Sven Schulze (CDU), argued that the changes aim to promote fishing among young people as an outdoor activity and to simplify unnecessarily complicated regulations. The opposition party AfD and the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) expressed concerns about whether the new regulations would provide sufficient supervision of young anglers and protection of fish stocks. Supporters of the reform emphasize that the responsibility for consent and supervision of children will lie with the water owners, which they believe is a sufficient control mechanism.

Mentioned People

  • Sven Schulze — Minister of Agriculture and Environment of Saxony-Anhalt from the CDU party, a supporter of the reform.