Tyrol’s majestic mountain scenery, rushing rivers and calm lakes invite you to a fishing holiday

Tirol is known as the alpine holiday paradise in western Austria and also promises a lot of excitement and adventure for fishermen. Fishing in Tyrol’s waters means experiencing bubbling wild rivers and idyllic lakes. When you look at the smooth surface of the water, in which the imposing mountains are reflected, the feeling of relaxation is not long in coming.

Tyrol’s mountain landscapes with more than 600 glaciers feed the fish waters with the purest mountain water. Trout, grayling, huchen and char can be found in the flowing wild waters. The still waters, on the other hand, are populated by pike, perch, zander, carp and tench . The local anglers prefer to fish with flies and the Tiroler Hölzl, which lets the bait sink to the bottom.
Last but not least, Tyrol with its fantastic mountain world also lures you away from the fishing waters to sporty holiday fun, from hiking and mountaineering to mountain biking and rafting. This is how even non-fishing holiday companions experience their adventure.

At the end of a successful day of fishing, culinary Tyrolean specialties are waiting to be tasted…

Our member companies in Tyrol

Neuhaus Zillertal Resort ****
Territory:  The hotel’s own fishing waters in the Zillergrund, Zemmgrund and in the Stilluptal incl. the Stillup reservoir.
Trim:  Rainbow trout, brown trout, char

Wohlfühlhotel Platzer****S
AREA for fly fishermen : 5 streams and 2 lakes reserved exclusively for house guests!
AREA for spin fishermen:  Gmünder and Durlassboden reservoirs
Duration : Brown trout, rainbow trout and char. Lake trout and perch in the lakes and grayling in the Finkausee.

Apart-Pension Arina
Territory:  The Stillebach, approx. 16 km total length; romantic high mountain stream. Grünsee  in the middle of a rustic larch and spruce forest; 1.5 hectares in size and surrounded by a belt of reeds.
COOPERATION FISHING WATER: Haidersee am Reschenpass – South Tyrol: 10 km away. Size 98 ha, Haidersee incl. Bach Etch: approx. 1 km in the direction of Burgeis.
Duration:  Brown trout and rainbow trout, char, pike, carp, tench, perch, roach and rudd

Hotel Post ****
Territory:  Stillebach  (the uppermost part is a quiet flowing meadow brook that develops into a rough mountain brook) and Piengbach (with a total length of 12 km).
Duration:  Brown trout and rainbow trout, char, pike, carp, tench, perch, roach, rudd, grayling

Important Information for Anglers in Tyrol

Permits and Documents

To fish in Tyrol, you need the following documents:

• Tyrolean Fishing Card: This serves as proof of professional qualification and membership in the Tyrolean Fishing Association. A prerequisite for obtaining it is the successful completion of a fishing exam. The fishing card is issued by the responsible district administrative authority and is valid for the entire state territory.

• Catch License: In addition to the fishing card, you need a catch license for the specific fishing district where you want to fish. This license is issued by the fishing rights holder and can be obtained as a daily or annual license.
• Guest Fishing Card: For individuals who do not possess a Tyrolean fishing card, such as tourists or occasional anglers, a guest fishing card can be issued. This allows fishing with daily licenses within a period of 14 days. The guest fishing card is issued by the fishing rights holder.

Closed Seasons and Minimum Sizes

To protect fish stocks, specific closed seasons and minimum sizes apply in Tyrol, which must be strictly observed. Some examples:

• Brown Trout: Closed season from October 1 to February 28; Minimum size: 22 cm.
• Rainbow Trout: Closed season from December 1 to February 28; Minimum size: 24 cm.
• Grayling: Closed season from January 1 to April 30; Minimum size: 35 cm.
• Pike: Closed season from February 15 to April 30; Minimum size: 55 cm.
• Huchen: Closed season from February 15 to November 30; Minimum size: 90 cm.

Please note that these values may vary depending on the body of water. Therefore, always inform yourself about the specific regulations of the respective fishing association

Rights and Obligations

• Carrying Documents: While fishing, anglers must always carry their fishing card and the corresponding catch license and present them upon request to the fisheries supervision authorities.
• Catch Record Keeping: In some areas, keeping a catch record is mandatory to ensure sustainability and traceability of fishing.

Prohibitions and Penalties

• Protected fish species: Fish species may not be caught during their closed season or below the minimum size. If such fish are caught nonetheless, they must be immediately and carefully returned to the water.

• Prohibited Fishing Gear: The use of prohibited fishing gear is forbidden.

• Penalties: Violations of the provisions of the Tyrolean Fishing Act can lead to fines.

Current Fishing Law

The Tyrolean Fishing Act 2020 came into force on January 1, 2021. This law aims to maintain, restore if necessary, or create a species-rich and healthy population of aquatic animals appropriate to the nature of the respective waters, to secure the livelihoods for these aquatic animals, and to ensure sustainable fishery management of the fishing waters.

For further details and the complete legal regulations, please consult the current Tyrolean Fishing Act and the corresponding implementing regulations. Inform yourself before your fishing adventure to experience a sustainable and unforgettable fishing holiday.

Peter Heil