Can I go fishing in Switzerland?
It depends on the water and patent — fishing requires a cantonal patent. At federal level there's the SaNa certificate (fishing competence certificate), an animal-welfare proof required for any patent over one month (annual patents); it's obtained by course and test and is valid for life. The actual patent is cantonal. Canton of Zürich example (illustrative): patents come from the Office for Landscape and Nature, e.g. via the eFJ2 app or webshop. 2026 prices: single-lake patent CHF 100, lakes patent CHF 160 (shore), boat add-on CHF 170. Minimum sizes and closed seasons are set in the patent conditions. In short: yes, with a patent, SaNa and respecting size and season.
📋 The rules
- Cantonal patent required (Zürich example)
- SaNa certificate for patents over 1 month
- Zürich: single lake CHF 100, lakes patent CHF 160
- Boat add-on CHF 170, youth half price
- Respect minimum sizes & closed seasons
🔓 Exceptions
- Short day/week tickets usually without SaNa
- Free-fishing right on certain large waters (check locally)
- Minimum sizes/closed seasons vary by species and canton
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Fishing without a valid patent, without the required SaNa certificate, under the minimum size or during the closed season is an offence against fishing law, with a fine and possible confiscation of catch and gear. Beware a myth: "you can fish anywhere with a rod" is mostly false — you generally need a cantonal patent, and for annual patents the SaNa certificate. Tip: buy the patent before fishing, read the patent conditions on size and season, and handle caught fish humanely.
📎 Official sources
- Canton of Zürich · fishing patents →
- Fedlex · Federal Fishing Act (BGF) →
- anglerausbildung.ch · SaNa courses →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a patent to fish?
Usually yes. Fishing is done with a cantonal patent, which you buy from the competent office. In the canton of Zürich you can get the patent via the eFJ2 app or the webshop. For annual patents you additionally need the SaNa certificate as proof of competence.
What is the SaNa certificate?
The SaNa is the Switzerland-wide fishing competence certificate, an animal-welfare proof. It's required for any patent valid longer than one month, that is for annual patents. You obtain it via a course with a test, and it's then valid for life across the whole country.
What does a patent cost in Zürich?
In the canton of Zürich in 2026, the single-lake patent for one lake costs around CHF 100 and the lakes patent for several lakes around CHF 160, both for shore fishing. An add-on for fishing from a boat costs around CHF 170. Young people pay half price.
What are minimum sizes and closed seasons?
Minimum sizes set how large a fish must be for you to keep it, and closed seasons protect species during spawning. Both are set per species in the cantonal patent conditions. Undersized or protected fish must be returned to the water gently and unharmed where possible.
Is there a free-fishing right?
On certain large public waters there's a free-fishing right, where simple shore fishing with a handheld rod may be allowed without a patent. The exact scope varies locally and should be checked on the spot. The animal-welfare rules still apply even then.
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