Fishing & Camping

Camping and fishing go together perfectly - and there is a large selection of campsites in Europe that are specially designed for anglers. Pincamp presents some of the most beautiful destinations and explains what anglers need to bear in mind on a camping holiday.

Camping and fishing: Holidays right by the water

If you want to enjoy your favourite sport on holiday, we recommend special campsites for anglers. These are located near rivers, lakes or the sea that are suitable for fishing - so campers are never far from the water. In some cases, the site also has its own fishing pond, fishing pond or fish pond.

If you want to experience wilderness up close in combination with fishing and camping, travel to Scandinavia with your equipment. Sweden and Norway are particularly popular with motorhome and caravan drivers who are keen on fishing. Unlike many other countries, you don't need a state fishing licence here, which makes Scandinavia ideal for beginners who want to try their hand at camping for anglers.

But selected regions in Germany, Austria and Croatia are also popular. The staff at the campsites provide their guests with special information about fishing conditions in the region, such as fishing licences and regulations concerning the waters. If you have any questions about the fish in the region, you can also get advice directly on site from the trained staff. Fishing courses and excursions are also on the programme at many campsites.

Camping for anglers: legal rules in Germany

If you want to go fishing while camping in Germany, you first need a state fishing licence, which you receive after successfully passing a fishing test. However, there are some exceptions that resourceful campers can take advantage of. Fishing law in Germany is a matter for the federal states. Some federal states have therefore introduced so-called tourist fishing licences, which allow you to pursue your hobby without a fishing licence. These include: - Brandenburg - Schleswig-Holstein - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

Can you just find a nice campsite here and fish as you please? Not quite. Even without a fishing licence, you must first pay a fishing tax and purchase a fishing permit for the respective water. You can usually obtain a fishing licence and fishing tax stamps from the local fishing authority or tourist information office. The costs for a fishing permit with a tourist fishing licence are generally very low and are around 10-15 euros for a year. A one-off processing fee may also be payable.

Further preparations for a camping holiday with fishing

• No matter where you are going fishing, you should find out in advance about the country-specific requirements for fishing and special rules for the respective locations and waters. In Portugal, for example, a fishing-free weekday is possible. Fishing in Ireland, on the other hand, is strictly regulated with 17 different fishing licences.
• Watch out! Fishing rods are generally quite fragile and sensitive, especially if they are exposed to unforeseen shocks. To avoid unpleasant surprises at the campsite, the rods should be well secured and stowed away during the journey. Tubes that have been specially made for transporting fishing rods are suitable for this purpose. These are available from fishing tackle dealers and fishing tackle shops.
• Although most campsites also offer fishing tackle, many keen anglers do not want to do without their own bait. When travelling, you should therefore always make sure that they are well cooled and stowed away. Cool boxes are the minimum in this respect.

Preparation and travelling

• No matter where you are going fishing, everyone should find out in advance about the country-specific requirements for fishing and special rules for the respective locations and waters. In Portugal, for example, a fishing-free weekday is possible. Fishing in Ireland, on the other hand, is strictly regulated with 17 different fishing licences.
• Watch out! Fishing rods are generally quite fragile and sensitive, especially if they are exposed to unforeseen shocks. To avoid unpleasant surprises at the campsite, they should be well secured and stowed away before travelling. Tubes that have been specially made for transporting fishing rods are suitable for this purpose. These are available from fishing tackle dealers and fishing tackle shops.
• Although most campsites also offer fishing tackle, many keen anglers do not want to do without their own bait. When travelling, you should therefore always make sure that they are well cooled and stowed away. Cool boxes are the minimum in this respect.

The best camping destinations for anglers

Of course, any dream of fishing is useless if the destination doesn't deliver what it should. Scandinavia offers a particularly high probability of hooking a decent fish. Anglers primarily favour Sweden and Norway for solitary, quiet hours by the lake.

Although no state fishing licence is required in Sweden, a permit for the respective body of water is mandatory. Campers can look forward to a wide variety of species, with everything from perch and pikeperch to pike, trout and char. Norway, on the other hand, boasts an abundance of mackerel, cod, salmon, halibut and sea trout. Many campsites in the region offer fishing equipment or hire boats. In addition, the corresponding water map is often included.

However, you don't have to travel abroad to find the ideal campsite. You can also find one in the Bavarian Forest in Germany, for example. Anglers can go hunting for chub, hazel, wild carp and bullhead here. In Germany, however, with the exceptions mentioned above, a state fishing licence is required. Beautiful German campsites for anglers include the Adventure Camp Schnitzmühle in Viechtach or the Regental Aktiv Camping in Regen. In Austria, for example, Lake Ossiach in southern Carinthia has proven to be worthwhile. In addition to around 20 delicious fish species such as zander and whitefish, there are also great campsites here that are specially designed for anglers.

Sport fishermen are often drawn to the Mediterranean in Croatia for camping. The rocky shores are home to an enormous variety of fish and many opportunities for deep-sea fishing.

5 top tips for angling campers

• In order to be allowed to fish in the various waters, in most cases you have to purchase a permit or fishing licence. A valid ID document with a photo is required for the purchase, i.e. identity card, passport or driving licence.
• A fishing licence can also be purchased online in some regions. This is done in advance via the official website of the fishing directorate. After completing the purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with the payment number.
• In principle, anyone can purchase a licence for recreational fishing at sea. Once you have one, you are authorised to fish in the entire sea area where fishing is permitted. However, some areas are excluded, such as beaches and bathing areas, harbours and nature and national parks.
• Different fishing rules and regulations naturally also apply in the different regions. Permitted fishing gear and equipment therefore also vary, and the minimum permitted sizes also change from country to country. If the fish is too small or too large, it must be released. If you have any questions on the subject, the staff at the respective campsite will usually be able to help.
• In addition to keen anglers, many mosquitoes also like to hang around campsites that are located directly on the water. If you want to prevent bites, it is best to buy a good mosquito repellent spray from the pharmacy.

Varied sports and leisure activities

For anglers, it is usually enough to catch the abundant fish stock at the campsite of their choice and roast them on the barbecue in the evening - pure freedom and light-heartedness. However, some campers also want to see the surrounding area and go on excursions.

Sporting activities in the great outdoors

Depending on the location, there are of course various excursion destinations for campers. Hiking enthusiasts in Sweden, for example, can look forward to the 197,000-hectare Sarek National Park in Lapland, while both young and old guests at the campsites on Lake Ossiach in Austria can let off steam in the Ossiacher See climbing forest, where nature and adventure come together - fun for the whole family. If you are staying in the Bavarian Forest, a hiking trip to the nearby, deep green Bavarian Alps is a great option.

City trip

Cobblestone streets, ochre-coloured buildings and numerous sights: Sweden's capital Stockholm always attracts numerous camping enthusiasts from the surrounding area. The city of Munich is only around two hours away from the campsites in the Bavarian Forest, while Regensburg can be reached in around 40 minutes. Campers on Lake Ossiach can drive around 40 minutes by car to Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, where the beautiful old town with its Baroque and Renaissance buildings invites you to take a stroll.