Your Fishing Licence for Saxony!

Saxony is a true paradise for anyone who loves the water! The Elbe, Mulde, Spree, Neiße and Elster are well-known far beyond the region's borders as outstanding fishing venues. In the former open-cast lignite mining areas of Lusatia and central Germany, some of the largest lakes in the country have come into being — a remarkable legacy of industrial history.

In this article we explain how to prepare quickly and efficiently for the fishing licence examination in Saxony, what costs to expect, and what other requirements you need to meet before you can finally get out on the water.

We've summarised the most important information in the table below; the text that follows covers everything in detail.

The Key Facts About the Fishing Licence in Saxony

Table of Contents:

I.) Fishing in Saxony

a.) A Paradise for Anglers

b.) Fishing Licence and Fishing Permit

II.) The Fishing Licence in Saxony

a.) Requirements for the Fishing Examination

b.) Registering for the Fishing Examination

c.) Structure and Content of the Fishing Examination

d.) Examination Preparation

(1) How Do You Best Prepare?

(2) Online Fishing School: Get Your Licence from the Sofa?

(3) What Do Preparatory Courses for the Fishing Examination Cost?

(4) What Do You Learn at (Online) Fishing Schools?

e.) How Do You Obtain Your Fishing Licence After Passing the Examination?

III.) Obtaining Fishing Permits

IV.) Fishing Without a Licence – Fines

I.) Fishing in Saxony

a.) A Paradise for Anglers

The Free State of Saxony is a genuine paradise for anglers! With around 10,000 hectares of still waters and approximately 3,000 kilometres of rivers and streams, Saxony offers a remarkable range of fishing opportunities. Particularly worth highlighting are the Leipzig and Lusatian lake districts, where former open-cast lignite mines have been transformed over recent decades into beautiful new fishing venues.

Although Saxony has no natural lakes, it offers a wide variety of waters: reservoirs, former mining lakes, storage lakes, retention basins, ponds and rivers. The former mining lakes in particular provide a rich and varied range of fishing options.

Many of these lakes, including former gravel pits, have developed into classic pike and tench waters and offer anglers a real paradise.

Saxony is not only a scenic delight — it's a genuine eldorado for everyone who loves to cast a line.

Around 82,000 people in Saxony currently hold a fishing licence. There are various types available, including the lifetime licence as well as junior, guest and special licences. Every angler also needs a permit for the specific water they intend to fish.

As in most German federal states, you need 2 documents to fish legally in Saxony:

• the fishing licence (Fischereischein), for which you must pass a state examination, and
• a fishing permit for the water you want to fish (usually available to purchase)

b.) Fishing Licence and Fishing Permit

To fish legally in Saxony, you need a valid fishing permit for the water in question. To obtain that permit, you first need the fishing licence, which requires passing an examination after completing a course and a practical day. It might seem odd that you have to pass an examination just to be eligible for a permit, but it makes a lot of sense.

Reasons why an examination-linked fishing licence makes sense:

• Minimum sizes, closed seasons and year-round protection of rare species only work if anglers can identify and distinguish them in the first place.
• A grounding in water science helps anglers spot ecological problems such as impending fish kills, fish diseases and other threats to nature more quickly — and report them accordingly.
• A basic level of knowledge makes it easier to get started and leads to catches sooner.
• You learn how to handle caught fish in a responsible and humane manner.

Fishing Licence vs Fishing Permit

Although the two terms sound similar, the distinction between a fishing licence and a fishing permit is significant and important.

• The fishing licence (also known as an 'angling licence') is proof of personal competence and is normally obtained by passing a fishing examination. In that examination you must demonstrate that you know how to fish in compliance with specific legal requirements and rules of conduct.

• The fishing permit (also known as a fishing licence, fishing authorisation, day ticket or water permit) is the authorisation for a specific person to fish on a particular water or stretch of water.

To obtain a fishing permit, you generally need to hold a fishing licence — proof that you are competent to fish. Only then can you get a permit, whether you approach the leaseholder directly, pick one up from a tackle shop, or use an online platform.

Important! There is a significant legal difference between fishing without a fishing licence and fishing without a fishing permit. Fishing without a fishing licence is treated as a regulatory offence and can be penalised with heavy fines.

Fishing on a water without a fishing permit — that is, without the owner's or leaseholder's authorisation — constitutes the criminal offence of poaching (§293 StGB) and can be punished with fines or even a custodial sentence of up to 2 years.

II.) The Fishing Licence in Saxony

(Examination requirements, registration, the fishing examination, preparation, applying for the licence, obtaining fishing permits, special case: non-predatory species licence)

In almost all German federal states*, state law requires a fishing licence (known colloquially as an 'Angelschein') to fish. Wherever in Germany you want to cast a line, fishing without a licence is virtually impossible!

In Saxony you must demonstrate in an examination that you have knowledge of native fish species, local waters, tackle and fisheries legislation. To be admitted to the examination, you need to fulfil a number of requirements.

a.) Requirements for the Fishing Examination

• The minimum age for the fishing examination is 14.
• Registration is handled through the leader of the practical day.
• Application for admission to the state fishing examination in Saxony
• Certificate of completion of a preparatory course, including confirmation of attendance at the practical day
• Copy of your national identity card or passport; if using a passport, also include a copy of your proof of registration
• Examination fee: €30
• Your place of residence must be in Saxony.

b.) Registering for the Fishing Examination

In Saxony, examination dates are offered throughout the year. The examination takes place 4–6 weeks after the practical day. After the practical day, you automatically receive an invitation from DEKRA Saxony with all the details — venue, date and time.

It is essential that you have both completed the preparatory course and attended a practical day. Without these two requirements, you cannot sit the examination.

After registering, you still need to pay the examination fee of €30.

c.) Structure and Content of the Fishing Examination

Important! You must identify yourself before the examination, so bringing your national identity card or passport is compulsory. If you bring a passport, you also need a copy of your proof of registration. You should also bring a ballpoint pen with blue or black ink.

The fishing examination in Saxony consists of a written section:

• A written theory test with 60 questions from 5 different subject areas

The written theory test is in multiple-choice format. From a pool of approximately 1,000 questions, 12 questions are drawn from each of 5 subject areas. For each question, one of three possible answers is correct and must be ticked. The subject areas are:

1. General fish biology: mainly questions on the anatomy, organ functions, diseases etc. of fish, crustaceans and lampreys
2. Specific fish biology: mainly questions on the characteristics of individual fish families and species regarding reproduction, preferred habitat, physiognomy etc.
3. Tackle and equipment: mainly questions on the tackle and accessories used in fishing, as well as knots
4. Water science: mainly questions on types of water and their characteristics
5. Fisheries law: mainly questions on the state fisheries legislation of Saxony-Anhalt, protected species found at waters, and the rights and obligations of anglers

The examination is passed when at least 45 questions overall are answered correctly and at least 8 questions are answered correctly in each subject area. The examination lasts a maximum of 90 minutes, after which the system closes it. Results are displayed and printed out immediately afterwards.

Once you pass, you receive your pass certificate, which you then take to your local authority to apply for your fishing licence.

d.) Examination Preparation

How long you need to study before the examination cannot be answered with a blanket figure, but as a general rule you won't go wrong if you plan for around 4–6 weeks. Don't worry though — the scope of the examination is clearly defined, and the sections below explain how best to prepare.

(1) How Do You Best Prepare?

The available courses for the fishing examination are at the same time the best possible preparation — they teach you exactly what you need to know. You can choose between in-person courses run by angling clubs and online courses such as the one offered by the Anglerschmiede.

In-person courses have fixed dates you must attend, with the material taught in a group setting. Online courses give you far greater flexibility with your time and let you make the most of whatever free time you have. Another advantage is that you can focus on specific subject areas and tailor the course to your own needs. Whereas in-person courses let you ask questions on the spot, online courses let you contact the course tutor at any time with your individual questions. Ultimately you need to decide which format suits you better, or which fits more easily around your work and family life.

(2) Online Fishing School: Get Your Licence from the Sofa?

Not everyone has several weekends free in a row for in-person courses, and that's exactly where the flexibility of online courses comes into its own. Whether your free time is limited for professional, family or other reasons, online courses make effective use of whatever windows you have available. It's no surprise, then, that this modern, convenient, family-friendly and efficient alternative is growing in popularity.

(3) What Do Preparatory Courses for the Fishing Examination Cost?

In Saxony you can choose between in-person courses — offered by angling clubs, for example — and online courses. Prices range from around €80 to €140. In-person courses tend to be slightly cheaper, but they are inflexible in terms of timing and take place in group sessions at a pace that suits the whole class, regardless of your own level of knowledge. Online courses cost a little more, but you have enormous flexibility and can adjust the intensity with which you study each subject area to match your own needs. Things get particularly worthwhile when you take advantage of bundle deals that include a starter set of fishing gear — at that point the online course can actually work out to be the cheaper option.
In addition to the course, you also need to complete a practical day in Saxony. This typically lasts 6–8 hours and is generally run by angling clubs. The fee for such a day is €60, and attendance is compulsory in order to sit the examination.

(4) What Do You Learn at (Online) Fishing Schools?

So what can you expect from each type of course?

The preparatory courses cover all the topics relevant to the examination. The theory section must amount to at least 22 hours.

In-person courses typically see the instructor use textbooks, diagrams, short video clips and other supplementary aids.

Most online courses follow a similar but far more flexible structure. Because each learning unit is self-contained, you can decide for yourself in what order to work through the individual modules. You can also repeat any unit as many times as you like. The course content is updated regularly and therefore always reflects the current state of the law — including the learning videos.

Many online fishing schools track your individual learning progress statistically, giving you a clear overview of where you stand and highlighting any areas where you still need work.
Practice tests are equally flexible — you can take them whenever you like and choose the right moment for yourself. Once you've completed the course and passed the practice test, you can usually register directly for the fishing examination through the provider's online portal.

Since the practical day is compulsory for admission to the examination, this difference between in-person and online courses falls away entirely.

e.) How Do You Obtain Your Fishing Licence After Passing the Examination?

Having prepared with the Anglerschmiede online course, the examination should be no problem at all. Once you've passed, you receive your pass certificate. Take it to the fisheries authority at your local municipality, where you apply for your fishing licence. Alongside the certificate, you'll need an official identity document (national identity card or passport) and a passport photo. A fee is also due, which depends on the duration of the licence and whether you are under 18. The total amount comprises a fee and a fisheries levy.

Between 14 and 18 years of age:

• fee: €9.00

From 18 years of age:

• lifetime licence: €42.00 fee

After that, all you need is the fishing permit for the water or waters you want to fish.

III.) Obtaining Fishing Permits

To finally fish legally, you still need a fishing permit. By passing the fishing examination and obtaining your fishing licence, you've demonstrated that you can fish in a responsible and humane manner. You can now approach the leaseholders or owners of individual waters and, for an appropriate fee, purchase a permit for each water — provided permits are being issued. A useful source of information about the various waters in Saxony is the Angelatlas, where you'll find details on the different fishing venues in the state.

IV.) Fishing Without a Licence – Fines

Fishing without private-law authorisation — that is, without a fishing permit — is a serious matter and is classified as a criminal offence (§ 293 StGB — poaching), potentially punishable not only with a fine but with a custodial sentence of up to 2 years.

There are also other forms of misconduct that do not fall under criminal law but constitute a regulatory offence, punishable with fines of up to €5,000. Tackle being carried at the time may also be confiscated.

Regulatory offences (source: https://www.bussgeldkatalog.org/angeln-ohne-angelschein/sachsen/)

Among others, the following regulatory offences are listed, all of which can be penalised with fines of up to €5,000:

• negligently or intentionally fishing without carrying and presenting a fishing permit and fishing licence when asked to do so
• negligently or intentionally fishing using artificial light as an attractant, electric current, or other aids that injure or poison fish
• negligently or intentionally carrying ready-to-use tackle at a water for which no fishing authorisation exists
• negligently or intentionally releasing fish suspected of carrying or being exposed to disease
• negligently or intentionally fishing on fish passes or immediately above or below them
• fishing with eel rakes, traps, harpoons, snares, fish forks, snatching rigs or firearms
• fishing with more than 3 single- to treble-hooked hooks per rod
• intentionally catching or killing year-round protected species such as minnow, salmon, sea trout and sturgeon, including any attempt to do so
• targeting, catching or killing specially protected crustaceans, mussels and fish food organisms
• deliberately targeting fish during their closed season
• failing to return fish immediately and carefully during their closed season and undersized fish at any time
• feeding wild fish (exception: groundbaiting for the purpose of fishing)

Note: this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as an example and a broad overview.