Fishing in Holland: Fishing Licences and Water Directories

This article was written by Pike & Perch support team member Sebastian Schmidt.

That the fishing in our neighbouring country is excellent has long been an open secret. An abundance of water and generally healthy stocks of both predators and non-predatory species draw many anglers across the border. In this article I'll walk you through everything you need to know before you try your luck on the other side.

The Fishing Licence: VisPas

The most important thing of all is the Dutch fishing licence, the VisPas. It costs on average between €30 and €45. The Dutch combine the official fee directly with the annual membership of the local club. Clubs near the border, or clubs with particularly attractive club waters, tend to be a little pricier — which accounts for this price range.

You can obtain one from retailers near the border or from Dutch tackle shops:

If you have a credit card or an account with a Dutch bank, you can also apply online via the Sportvisserij Nederland website (http://www.vispas.nl).

The retailers will normally help you fill in the application form. Some will even send it off to Sportvisserij Nederland on your behalf — otherwise you'll need to pop to the post office yourself. The application must reach Sportvisserij Nederland within one week. You won't need to search for an address online, as it is already printed on the form. At the shop you'll receive a provisional VisPas, valid for four weeks, so you can head straight to the water.

If you order online, you'll receive a provisional VisPas by email and simply need to print it out. You'll also receive a membership card for the angling club you've joined, and if you wish, the water list (Lijsten van Viswateren) — a small booklet listing the water-specific regulations (permitted lures, keep limits, etc.).

The VisPlanner App

Instead of the water list, you can download the Sportvisserij Nederland app — the VISPlanner — to your smartphone. Simply visit the VisPlanner homepage on your phone (http://m.visplanner.nl) and follow the Android or iOS link. An active internet connection is essential during any inspection.

Here are the links to download the VisPlanner app:

• Download: iOS (iPhone)
• Download: Android

Renewing and Cancelling Your VisPas

The VisPas renews automatically each year. If you opt for a direct debit for the following year, you'll save around €10. If you don't, you'll receive a payment request from Sportvisserij Nederland around November.

If you want to cancel your VisPas, you must do so by 1 October. It's straightforward and hassle-free — simply send an email with your details and VisPas number to ledenadministratie@vispas.nl.

Dual Membership

While day tickets are available for some waters in Holland, many of the best spots are exclusively in the hands of clubs. If you don't want to leave your existing Dutch club, you can take advantage of dual membership. The process works just like the original VisPas application. If you purchase through a retailer, you'll get the Sportvisserij Nederland fee refunded. If you buy online, you simply pay the new club's annual membership fee.

Where Can You Fish with Your VisPas?

With your provisional or full VisPas in hand, you'll naturally want to get to the water as quickly as possible. But although the sheer number of available waters can be overwhelming for newcomers, not every water is open to VisPas holders.

There are three ways to find out whether you're allowed to fish a particular water:

• The water list booklet for reference (can be rather time-consuming to navigate)
• The VisPlanner website http://www.visplanner.nl
• The VisPlanner app: (Download: iOS (iPhone) | Android)

On www.visplanner.nl you can either enter a Dutch postcode or search for waters on an interactive map similar to Google Maps. Once you tap the 'Ververs gegeven' button, the VisPlanner uses a colour code to indicate whether you're permitted to fish there. In the VisPlanner app you can also use the 'Gebruik mijn GPS-locatie' option to use your GPS position instead.

Key:

• Dark blue: the water is open to fishing
• Rust red: club water — members only
• Light blue: the water is not open to fishing

Water-Specific Regulations

Before you start fishing a water, read the rules carefully — all of them. Dutch bailiffs take enforcement seriously and fines are never cheap.

Depending on the severity of the offence, your VisPas can be revoked and you can be banned for years.

Pay particular attention to which species you may keep and, where applicable, how many. Bag limits vary considerably from water to water. Catch and release is taken very seriously in the Netherlands. Eel, for example, are completely off-limits. Again, you have the same three options for checking the rules that apply to a given water.

As an example, here's how it all works using one of my local waters in the VisPlanner app.

Keep limits must be observed at all times — simply tap the water in the app and you'll be taken straight to the rules.

Closed Seasons and Minimum Sizes

The Netherlands has a closed season too, though it works slightly differently from what you may be used to. Make sure you check the regulations for the specific region you plan to fish beforehand.

Pike, for example, are protected from 1 March onwards. Of course, it can happen that you hook a pike while targeting perch or zander after that date. In that case, the fish must be returned immediately and with care.

Lure Ban from 1 April

As a general rule, lures, deadbait and fish strips are banned from 1 April until the last Saturday in May. The only exception is flies up to 2.5 cm. A special regulation applies to the IJsselmeer: there the ban comes into effect as early as 30 March and doesn't lift until 30 June. And that's really all you need to know. Even if the sheer choice of waters feels a little overwhelming at first, the same principle applies here as everywhere: 'You learn by doing.' Ask your fellow anglers politely and you'll usually get a friendly answer — so get to the water and catch something.

Sportvisserij Nederland has also produced a short, informative video about the VisPlanner app:

I'd be delighted to hear your feedback and any additional tips — please use the comment section below!

Sebastian