Can you fish in Latvia without a fishing card?
No — but three groups are exempt. An angler must buy a fishing card, except people under the age of 16, people over 65 and people with a disability. But note: seniors and disabled anglers must show the inspector a supporting document — without it the exemption cannot be used, and your word will not do. Prices: an annual card is €14.23, a three-month card €7.11, a one-month card €5 and a one-day card €1.50. A card is also needed where licensed fishing applies — and there you need a licence as well. The same card covers crayfishing and underwater hunting, not just angling.
📋 The rules
- The card is compulsory for anglers
- Annual card: €14.23
- Day card: €1.50
- Exempt: under 16 and over 65
- And people with a disability
🔓 Exceptions
- Seniors and disabled anglers must show the inspector a supporting document
- In licensed fishing waters a licence is needed in addition to the card
- The same card also covers crayfishing and underwater hunting
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The fine is wildly out of proportion to the price of a card. For breaching the fishing rules, including fishing without a card, you can face a warning or a fine of €15–350, with the possibility of confiscating the gear and the objects of the offence — that is, your rods and your catch. In more serious cases the right to fish can be suspended for up to one year. Compare that: an annual card costs €14.23 and a day card €1.50, so the fine can exceed a year's card twentyfold. Two frequent misunderstandings: first, in licensed waters the card does not replace the licence — you need both. Second, the over-65 exemption is not automatic: without a document the inspector will not take it into account.
📎 Official sources
- likumi.lv · Fishing regulations →
- Fishing card · Official site →
- Ministry of Agriculture · Fisheries →
❓ Frequently asked
How much does a fishing card cost?
An annual card costs 14.23 euros, a three-month card 7.11 euros, a one-month card 5 euros, and a single-day card just 1.50 euros. Cards can be bought online and take effect as soon as they are paid for.
Who does not need a card?
People under 16, people over 65 and people with a disability. The latter two groups must show the inspector a supporting document, otherwise the exemption cannot be relied on and a fine still follows.
What is the fine without a card?
A warning or a fine of 15 to 350 euros, with confiscation of the gear and the objects of the offence — your rods and your catch. In serious cases the right to fish can be suspended for up to one year.
Is a card enough in licensed waters?
It is not. In licensed fishing waters you need the relevant licence in addition to the fishing card. The card and the licence are two different documents, and an inspector will ask to see both.
Do I need a card for crayfishing?
You do. The same card also covers crayfishing and underwater hunting, and the same age and disability exemptions apply to those activities, so no separate document is needed for them.
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What people search to land here:
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