Fishing in Austria
The crystal clear lakes, rivers and streams of the Austrian Alps are the perfect playground for angling enthusiasts. Of course, you’ve also got incredible mountain scenery to provide the perfect backdrop as you wait for your catch.
Licences & Regulations
Licences & Guest Cards
Anyone who spends their fishing holiday in Austria should know that fishing is a matter for the federal states. This means that each of the nine Austrian federal states regulates its own law in the so-called state fisheries law. In terms of content, these differ greatly from one another in terms of conditions, closed periods and dimensions. For example, the minimum age in Salzburg and Upper Austria is 12 years, in Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, Lower Austria and Vienna 14 years and in Burgenland 18 years.
The legal requirement for fishing in every state is having an official fishing license Fishing card or fishing guest card (for guests from abroad). Fischer guest cards are valid for a maximum of four weeks from the date of issue. They cost between € 5 and € 25. Sometimes you have to buy a weekly ticket (e.g. Carinthia), usually a flat-rate ticket (e.g. Upper Austria). The holder of a fishing guest card must always have a valid official photo ID with them.
NB: Some private lakes do not require tax/guest cards, please enquire with the lake directly.
In addition to the official guest card, a license (fishing permit) for the respective body of water is required. There are day, week, month, night fishing permits, etc. Dependent on where you are planning to fish these are available from the following online resources:
Upper Austria: https://www.lfvooe.at
Lower Austria: https://www.noe-lfv.at
Carinthia: http://www.kaerntner-landesfischerei.at/start.html
Salzburg: http://www.fischereiverband.at
Styria: http://www.fischereiverband-steiermark.at
Burgenland: no tax card/guest card required.
Vienna: http://wiener-fischereiausschuss.at
Tyrol: https://www.tiroler-fischereiverband.at
Vorarlberg: http://www.fischereiverband-vbg.at
Tip for obtaining a fishing license in public waters:
There is a separate tax card for each state (9 federal states). These inexpensive guest tax cards can often be bought with the license for the corresponding waters and are limited in time – no fishing test is necessary here.
Tip for Paylakes (private lakes):
For fishing at a Paylake in Austria you do not usually need a tax card if the water and fishing rights are privately owned. However, there are a few exceptions here as well. The costs per week are usually based on international standards.
There are some paylakes in Austria that are very different to fish. The regulations are also very special in some cases. It is advisable to obtain appropriate information from the respective water operator. If the lake is listed as “Premium” or “Gold” waters, you can find out all the information here directly. Some paylakes are located in a drinking water protection area, here it can happen that feeding is prohibited. The density of paylakes is not comparable with other countries, but there are.
General Fishing Regulations
In order to protect the fishing habitats and guarantee ideal conditions for everyone, anglers are required to obey the following regulations:
- If you are fishing, carry your permit with you at all times.
- Fishing equipment may not be shared with people who do not possess a permit of their own.
- Anglers must hold both a fishing day-permit for the waters in question as well as a Fishing License for visitors (Guest Card)
- Fishing permits, equipment as well as catch must be shown to fishery inspectors upon request.
- Failure to obey fishing regulations may result in fishing inspectors confiscating your license without reimbursement.
- All fishing areas must be left clean and tidy.
In the case of public lakes, it is generally important to mention that there is a ban on tents almost everywhere (note: tent plus floor). Of course, campsites directly on the lake are an option to set up a tent anyway. An umbrella with overlay is generally allowed, if you are allowed to fish on this lake also at night. In Austria there are no night fishing zones as in other countries. The waterfront areas are often privately owned or belong to a guesthouse or hotel. Here you can often come as a fisherman in the low season to a pleasant holiday week. Book a room and ask if you can fish from the property of the Lake Pension often solves some problems.
Seasons
Whereas the main fishing season runs from April 1st through to the end of November, each of the states listed above may have their own seasonality rules. Please check with the association for the relevant state using the links provided.
Resources
Check List
- Fishing Permits (see above)
- Photo ID
- Travel Insurance - we recommend these providers
If you are driving:
- Green Card (Insurance) - contact your insurer
- Driving licence
- Vehicle Log Book
- GB Sticker (unless GB identifier is on your number plate)
- Be aware of road tolls & charges - see here for details
Recommended Waters
Recommended Service Partners
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Car Hire
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Flights
Daily budget flights in and out of all main European airports.
-
Licences & Regulations
Licences & Guest Cards
Anyone who spends their fishing holiday in Austria should know that fishing is a matter for the federal states. This means that each of the nine Austrian federal states regulates its own law in the so-called state fisheries law. In terms of content, these differ greatly from one another in terms of conditions, closed periods and dimensions. For example, the minimum age in Salzburg and Upper Austria is 12 years, in Styria, Carinthia, Tyrol, Lower Austria and Vienna 14 years and in Burgenland 18 years.
The legal requirement for fishing in every state is having an official fishing license Fishing card or fishing guest card (for guests from abroad). Fischer guest cards are valid for a maximum of four weeks from the date of issue. They cost between € 5 and € 25. Sometimes you have to buy a weekly ticket (e.g. Carinthia), usually a flat-rate ticket (e.g. Upper Austria). The holder of a fishing guest card must always have a valid official photo ID with them.
NB: Some private lakes do not require tax/guest cards, please enquire with the lake directly.
In addition to the official guest card, a license (fishing permit) for the respective body of water is required. There are day, week, month, night fishing permits, etc. Dependent on where you are planning to fish these are available from the following online resources:
Upper Austria: https://www.lfvooe.at
Lower Austria: https://www.noe-lfv.at
Carinthia: http://www.kaerntner-landesfischerei.at/start.html
Salzburg: http://www.fischereiverband.at
Styria: http://www.fischereiverband-steiermark.at
Burgenland: no tax card/guest card required.
Vienna: http://wiener-fischereiausschuss.at
Tyrol: https://www.tiroler-fischereiverband.at
Vorarlberg: http://www.fischereiverband-vbg.at
Tip for obtaining a fishing license in public waters:
There is a separate tax card for each state (9 federal states). These inexpensive guest tax cards can often be bought with the license for the corresponding waters and are limited in time – no fishing test is necessary here.
Tip for Paylakes (private lakes):
For fishing at a Paylake in Austria you do not usually need a tax card if the water and fishing rights are privately owned. However, there are a few exceptions here as well. The costs per week are usually based on international standards.
There are some paylakes in Austria that are very different to fish. The regulations are also very special in some cases. It is advisable to obtain appropriate information from the respective water operator. If the lake is listed as “Premium” or “Gold” waters, you can find out all the information here directly. Some paylakes are located in a drinking water protection area, here it can happen that feeding is prohibited. The density of paylakes is not comparable with other countries, but there are.
General Fishing Regulations
In order to protect the fishing habitats and guarantee ideal conditions for everyone, anglers are required to obey the following regulations:
- If you are fishing, carry your permit with you at all times.
- Fishing equipment may not be shared with people who do not possess a permit of their own.
- Anglers must hold both a fishing day-permit for the waters in question as well as a Fishing License for visitors (Guest Card)
- Fishing permits, equipment as well as catch must be shown to fishery inspectors upon request.
- Failure to obey fishing regulations may result in fishing inspectors confiscating your license without reimbursement.
- All fishing areas must be left clean and tidy.
In the case of public lakes, it is generally important to mention that there is a ban on tents almost everywhere (note: tent plus floor). Of course, campsites directly on the lake are an option to set up a tent anyway. An umbrella with overlay is generally allowed, if you are allowed to fish on this lake also at night. In Austria there are no night fishing zones as in other countries. The waterfront areas are often privately owned or belong to a guesthouse or hotel. Here you can often come as a fisherman in the low season to a pleasant holiday week. Book a room and ask if you can fish from the property of the Lake Pension often solves some problems.
-
Seasons
Whereas the main fishing season runs from April 1st through to the end of November, each of the states listed above may have their own seasonality rules. Please check with the association for the relevant state using the links provided.
-
Resources
-
Check List
-
Recommended Waters
Getting There
Flights
Daily budget flights in and out of all main European airports.
Insurance
Travel Insurance
Stay safe & stay covered. Best rates for European travel.
Driving
Car Hire
Have a car waiting for you upon arrival. Great rates guaranteed.
Fishing Austria
The crystal clear lakes, rivers and streams of the Austrian Alps are the perfect playground for angling enthusiasts. Of course, you’ve also got incredible mountain scenery to provide the perfect backdrop as you wait for your catch.