Rules & closed seasons
Protect tomorrow's fishing: respect closed seasons and minimum sizes – and always check your permit.
Please note
The values below follow the Bavarian AVBayFiG. Binding are the current ordinance and the conditions on your permit; local rules may be stricter. Fish below the minimum size or caught during the closed season must be returned to the same stretch immediately and carefully.
Species at a glance
| Species | Closed season | Min. size | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Eel Anguilla anguilla |
1 October – 31 December | 50 cm | |
|
Brown trout Salmo trutta fario |
1 October – 15 March | 26 cm | |
|
Barbel Barbus barbus |
1 May – 30 June | 40 cm | |
|
Bream Abramis brama |
none | - | |
|
Perch Perca fluviatilis |
none | - | |
|
Pike Esox lucius |
15 February – 30 April | 50 cm | |
|
Carp Cyprinus carpio |
none | 35 cm | |
|
Bullhead Cottus gobio |
1 February – 30 April | - | Strictly protected Habitats-Directive species and an indicator of clean water – please release carefully. |
|
Nase Chondrostoma nasus |
1 March – 30 April | 30 cm | Population under threat; locally the nase is protected more strictly than required by law – the permit is binding. |
|
Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss |
15 December – 15 March | 26 cm | |
|
Roach Rutilus rutilus |
none | - | No closed season in the AVBayFiG; the district ordinance lists 1 Apr – 15 May for the Main – check applicability to the Saale on the permit. |
|
Rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus |
none | - | |
|
Burbot Lota lota |
none | 40 cm | |
|
Tench Tinca tinca |
1 May – 30 June | 26 cm | |
|
Zander Sander lucioperca |
15 February – 30 April | 50 cm | |
|
Grayling Thymallus thymallus |
1 January – 30 April | 35 cm |
Fishing licence basics
Anyone fishing independently needs a valid fishing licence (Fischereischein) and a permit (Erlaubnisschein) for the water, plus proof of the fishing fee. The exam covers fish biology, waters, conservation, tackle and the relevant law.
- Fishing exam from age 12; own licence (for life) from age 14.
- Since 1 Jan 2025 no more youth fishing licence: from age 7 to 18 only in the responsible company of an adult licence holder – a permit is still required.
- Max. two rods, no live bait fish; treat fish humanely (stun, then kill).
Bavarian fishing law
The full texts are official works and freely available:
- Bayerisches Fischereigesetz (BayFiG)
- Ausführungsverordnung (AVBayFiG) – incl. closed seasons
- District of Lower Franconia – fishery
Status of the evaluated sources: BayFiG/AVBayFiG 2024/2025. No guarantee of legal accuracy or completeness.