International reference

Fishing regulations around the world

A country-by-country overview of licenses, size limits, bag limits and closed seasons across Europe and North America.

Informational only. Regulations change frequently and vary by water body, season and region. Always verify current rules with the relevant authority before fishing.

URLs and prices may change. Always verify on the official source before purchasing a license.

Looking for fish species per country? Open the international species guide →

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SwedenNorwayFinlandGermanyFranceSpainItalyUnited KingdomNetherlandsPolandDenmarkUnited StatesCanada

EU Common Fisheries Policy

  • Applies to all EU member states. Total Allowable Catches (TACs) are set annually by the Council of Ministers.
  • Landing obligation: undersized fish of regulated species must be landed (commercial) or released (recreational).
  • Minimum conservation reference sizes apply EU-wide for marine species.
  • European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is protected across the entire EU with strict bans or seasonal closures.
  • Bluefin tuna requires special permits and is heavily regulated by ICCAT quotas.
  • Each member state sets its own recreational fishing license requirements and freshwater rules.

Key species across regions

European Eel

Anguilla anguilla

Protected across Europe. Recreational fishing banned or severely restricted in Sweden (total ban), Norway, Finland (total ban), Germany, France, UK, Netherlands, Spain, Italy. EU-wide closure measures in force.

Atlantic Salmon

Salmo salar

Heavily regulated everywhere. Always requires specific permits. Key rivers: Norway (Alta, Tana, Namsen), Sweden (Mörrum, Emån), Scotland (Spey, Tay, Tweed), Ireland (Moy, Blackwater), Iceland, Russia (Kola Peninsula). Increasingly catch-and-release only.

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Present across Europe and North America. Min sizes range 40–61 cm (Europe) to 24–30" (North America). Closed seasons during spring spawning in most jurisdictions.

Walleye / Zander

Sander spp.

Zander in Europe: 40–50 cm min, spring spawning closures. Walleye in North America: 15–18" min, 3–6/day limits.

Bass

Dicentrarchus / Micropterus

European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax): 36–42 cm min, 2/day in most EU countries. Largemouth/Smallmouth bass (Micropterus): 12–15" min in US/Canada, 5–6/day.

Trout

Salmo trutta / Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown/rainbow trout regulations vary enormously. Generally 20–35 cm min in Europe, 8–15" in North America. Seasonal closures during spawning. Wild vs hatchery distinction increasingly important (adipose fin clip).

Where fishing is free

Sweden

Rod fishing in sea + 5 large lakes

Norway

All sea fishing

Finland

Hook and line fishing, ice fishing (all ages)

Denmark

Under 18 and over 67

Germany

Sea fishing (most states; license still needed in some)

France

Sea fishing from shore

Spain

None — license always required

Italy

Sea fishing (no license, rules still apply)

United Kingdom (England)

Sea fishing, children under 13

Netherlands

Sea fishing from shore

Poland

Sea fishing from shore

United States

Free fishing days (1–2 days/year per state)

Canada

Varies by province

Sources