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Take the fishing license exam

Please note in particular our information under:
  • Service description

    To obtain your first fishing license (see service “Apply for or Renew a Fishing License”), you are generally required to pass a fishing exam. In this exam, candidates must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of fish species, the conservation of fish stocks and the management of fishing waters, fishing gear and its use, the handling of caught fish, and the regulations governing fisheries, animal welfare, and nature conservation. If the relevant legal requirements are met, the highest fisheries authority recognizes state or state-recognized fishing exams and fishing licenses from other federal states.

    The following, among others, are exempt from taking the fishing exam:

    1. Individuals who have completed vocational training or master craftsman training as fishermen, or individuals who are currently enrolled in such a training program,
    2. Individuals who have successfully passed an exam in fisheries science as part of the training required for the advanced and senior levels of the State Forest Service,
    3. Individuals with scientific training in the field of fisheries, or
    4. Persons who held a valid domestic fishing license on December 29, 1990, or within the five years prior to that date, provided they have already been issued a new fishing license after that date.

    You can find information on how to obtain or renew your fishing license here:
     

  • Procedure

    You can apply in writing to the local fisheries authority with jurisdiction over your area (county or independent city) for admission to the fishing exam:

    • Before taking the preparatory course, the applicant must notify the local fisheries authority (e.g., by email) that he or she intends to take the fishing exam afterward.
    • The application for admission to the exam must be submitted to the competent local fisheries authority. The application form is provided by the respective local fisheries authority (e.g., on its website).
    • Before submitting the application documents, the application fee must be paid to the lower fisheries authority.
    • Exam dates are scheduled by the local fisheries authorities as needed, but at least once a year.
    • Applicants who do not submit their documents by the deadline or who do not pay the exam fee by the deadline will not be admitted to the fishing exam.
    • The lower fisheries authority invites eligible applicants in writing to take the fishing exam.
  • Competent Authority

    The application for admission to the fishing exam must be submitted to the lower fisheries authority (county or independent city) with jurisdiction over the applicant’s usual place of residence.

    If the applicant plans to take the fishing exam at a different local fisheries authority, the competent local fisheries authority may grant an exception in consultation with the local fisheries authority where the applicant wishes to take the exam.
     

  • Prerequisites

    • The application for admission to the exam must be submitted to the local fisheries authority (county or independent city) no later than four weeks before the exam date.
    • The examination fee must be paid to the local fisheries authority no later than four weeks before the examination date.
    • The following may not be admitted to the exam:
      • Persons who are subject to a restriction on consent under Section 1903 of the Civil Code,
      • Persons for whom there are facts justifying the assumption that they do not possess the required integrity, or who, in particular, are subject to grounds for denial under § 32(1) or (2) of the Hessian Fisheries Act,
      • Individuals who have not submitted their application materials in full by the deadline, and
      • Individuals who have not paid the exam fee in full or by the deadline.
         
  • What documents are required?

    Special information for the Fulda district
    • Application for Admission to the Fishing Exam

    • Consent Form for Legal Guardians (for Minors Under 18)

    Preparatory Course
    Admission to the fishing exam is contingent upon participation in a preparatory course. Unfortunately, no courses are currently offered in the Fulda district. You have the option of taking an online course . For more information, please contact the Hessian Anglers’ Association (Verband Hessischer Fischer e. V.). 

  • What fees apply?

    Fee: €40.00
    Prepayment: Yes
    https://www.rv.hessenrecht.hessen.de/bshe/document/jlr-UmwMinVwKostOHE2009V17Anlage
    The examination fee must be paid to the lower fisheries authority.

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    • The application for admission to the fishing exam must be submitted to the local fisheries authority no later than 4 weeks before the exam date.
    • The exam fee must be paid to the local fisheries authority no later than 4 weeks before the exam date.
       

    Application deadline: 4 weeks

  • Legal basis

  • Legal remedy

    For more information, please refer to the decision regarding your application

  • What else should I know?

    Special information for the Fulda district


    Where do I apply for my fishing license?

    After passing the exam, the fishing license must be applied for at the Public Order Office in your municipality of residence.

  • Additional Information

  • Applications / Forms

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