Are you planning a fishing holiday in Austria?
Then you should know that fishing permits are regulated differently in each federal state. Don’t worry, our member businesses of ABENTEUER FISCHWASSER know the legal requirements exactly, inform you, and provide you with all necessary fishing licenses. Fishing licenses are included when booking a fishing vacation package.
Fishing in Austria
Each of the nine Austrian federal states has its own rules in the so-called State Fishing Law. These differ significantly in terms of requirements, closed seasons, and size limits. For example, the minimum age for fishing in Carinthia is 10 years, in Salzburg and Upper Austria 12 years, in Styria, Tyrol, Lower Austria, Vienna, and Burgenland 14 years.
The legal requirement for fishing in each federal state is the possession of an official fishing card or guest fishing card (for guests from abroad). Guest fishing cards are valid for a maximum of four weeks from the date of issue and cost between €5 and €25, with additional fees for water licenses and optionally for boat use. Sometimes you have to purchase a weekly card (e.g., in Carinthia), most often a flat-rate card (e.g., in Upper Austria). The holder of a guest fishing card must carry this and always a valid official photo ID.
In addition to the official guest card, you also need the license (fishing permit) for the respective water. There are day, week, month, and night fishing permits available. You can obtain Fischer guest cards and licenses directly at your accommodation from the member businesses of ABENTEUER FISCHWASSER. There you will also be informed about the fishing area, closed seasons, size limits, minimum age, etc., and can be connected with guides



Fishing in South Tyrol
If you want to spend your fishing holiday in South Tyrol, you need a fishing license. This can be purchased (minimum age 8 years) and is valid for 10 years. Minors under 16 may only fish under the supervision of a licensed fisherman. Additionally, every angler needs a daily fishing permit for the specific water. You can obtain these directly at your accommodation from ABENTEUER FISCHWASSER, where you will also be informed about the fishing area and all your questions will be answered. It’s important that you carry a valid official photo ID (passport, driver’s license…) that matches the fishing license.

Please be considerate of nature
Besides the official regulations, there’s another important point: a sensitive approach to nature. Fishing means intensely experiencing nature, water, landscape, and vegetation along the shore. The change of seasons, different weather conditions, and various types of waters make fishing a new and unique experience every day.
Only if we see ourselves as part of the ecosystem and treat it with respect will we have sustainable enjoyment of an intact nature and the stay at a fishing water. This respect needs to be passed on to the next generation – so that fishing and enjoyment of nature can go hand in hand in the years to come.
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Further details on fishing laws
You can find more details on fishing laws and specific regulations in different regions on the Adventure Fishing Waters water body page: Adventure Fishing Waters – Water Bodies.