If you’re planning to fish for carp in the Netherlands, here are the basic rules you shouldn’t ignore 👇
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📄 1. Get a VISpas (mandatory!)
To fish legally, you need a VISpas — the main fishing license in the Netherlands.
📝 How to get it:
• Go to the Sportvisserij Nederland website
• Choose a fishing club (you automatically become a member)
• Fill in your details:
• first and last name
• home address
• bank account (IBAN)
• Pay for the license (≈ €40–€50 per year)
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📦 What you get:
• A temporary permit right after payment (you can start fishing immediately)
• A plastic card by mail
• Access to the VISplanner app
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📱 Why it matters:
In the VISplanner app you can:
✔️ check where fishing is allowed
✔️ see how many rods you can use
✔️ check if night fishing is allowed
✔️ view all rules for a specific water
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⚠️ Important details:
• The VISpas is valid together with the list of waters (Lijst van Viswateren)
• Some waters require additional permits:
• night fishing permit (nachtvispas)
• permit for a third rod
• You must carry the document with you (card or digital version)
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📍 2. Fish only in permitted areas
Not all waters are open for fishing.
✔️ Always check via VISplanner
✔️ Some places are completely restricted or have limitations
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⚖️ 3. Follow gear regulations
• Usually a maximum of 2–3 rods is allowed
• Use fish-safe rigs
• Some gear may be prohibited
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🐟 4. Catch and release
👉 Carp must almost always be released back into the water
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🛑 5. Handle fish carefully
• Use a carp mat
• Don’t keep fish out of water for long
• Minimize harm
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🌙 6. Night fishing and tents
🌙 Night fishing:
• Not allowed everywhere
• Often requires a night permit (nachtvispas)
👉 Always check in VISplanner
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⛺️ Tents:
✔️ Allowed, but only in designated areas
Basic rules:
• You can set up a tent only where night fishing is allowed
• In some places only carp tents (bivvy) or small shelters are allowed
• Sometimes a separate permit is required
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🚫 Prohibited:
• Large camping tents “like for vacation”
• Setting up a full campsite (tables, grills, etc.)
• Making fires
• Leaving trash
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⚠️ Inspections:
Inspectors check:
• VISpas validity
• rules of the specific water
• whether a tent is allowed
💸 Fines can start from €100+
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⚠️ 7. Fines are real
For missing documents or rule violations:
💸 fines are genuinely high
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❗️ Most important
👉 ALWAYS check the rules for the specific water!
In the Netherlands, every location has its own rules regarding:
• tents
• night fishing
• number of rods
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🎯 Save this post to enjoy carp fishing without problems or fines 😉
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