Can I fish without a permit?
No, to fish in public waters you usually need a permit — but there are exceptions. In Flanders you buy a Flemish fishing permit from the Agency for Nature and Forests: €13 for an ordinary permit (daytime, from the bank), €48 for a large permit (night fishing, from a boat, taking fish home) and €5 for the youth permit (up to 17). Free, however: young people up to 17 who fish with one rod, in daytime, from the bank, artificial bait (catch and release). In Wallonia there is the fishing permit (A: €20 from the bank, B: €45 from a boat, C: €110 for night carp fishing; under-15s free). In Brussels a separate permit (A: €6.20, B: €18.59). In a genuinely closed private water, no government permit is needed, only the owner's consent. Mind the closed season (16 April–31 May in Flanders) and the permitted methods.
📋 The rules
- In public waters a fishing permit is required; a separate permit per region
- Flanders: ordinary €13 (day, bank), large €48 (night/boat/taking fish), youth €5
- Free in Flanders: up to 17 with one rod, daytime, from the bank, artificial bait, catch and release
- Wallonia: permit A €20, B €45, C €110; under-15s free
- Brussels: permit A €6.20, B €18.59; daytime only, catch and release
- In a closed private water: no government permit, only the owner's consent
🔓 Exceptions
- Closed season in Flanders: 16 April–31 May; night fishing only in designated waters (with the large permit)
- A Flemish permit is not valid in Wallonia or Brussels, and vice versa
- Free in Flanders up to and including age 17 with one rod, by day, from the bank and with artificial bait (catch and release); in Wallonia under-15s fish free
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Fishing without a valid permit where one is required breaches fisheries law: you risk a fine and confiscation of your gear, rods and reels included. In Wallonia the base fine is expressed in old amounts multiplied by the surcharge factor, and the nature inspectorate also draws up an official report. What anglers forget: a permit from one region does not cover another, so with a Flemish permit in Wallonia you are still fishing without a permit. Fishing during the closed season, or at night without the large permit, also earns a fine.
📎 Official sources
- Natuur en Bos · types of fishing permit (Flanders) →
- permisdepeche.be (Wallonia) · permit types →
- environnement.brussels · fishing in Brussels →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I need a fishing permit?
In public waters, yes. In Flanders an ordinary permit costs 13 euros (by day, from the bank) and a large permit 48 euros. In private, closed water you need no permit, only the owner's consent.
Can children fish for free?
In Flanders young people up to and including 17 fish free with one rod, by day, from the bank and with artificial bait (catch and release). For two rods, night or boat they need a 5 euro youth permit; in Wallonia under-15s fish free.
What does a fishing permit cost in Wallonia?
For 2026: permit A (from the bank) 20 euros, permit B (from a boat) 45 euros and permit C (night carp fishing) 110 euros. Under-15s fish for free with a Permis J. A Walloon permit is not valid in Flanders.
May I fish at night?
Only with the large permit (48 euros) and only in the waters designated for it. Bear in mind the closed season as well (16 April–31 May in Flanders), during which fishing is not allowed everywhere.
Is my Flemish permit valid in Brussels or Wallonia?
No, each region has its own permit: Brussels has a separate one (A 6.20 euros, B 18.59 euros, daytime only and catch and release). Fishing in Wallonia on a Flemish permit therefore counts as fishing without a permit.
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