Hobby and rest

Rivers, lakes and rules: the complete guide on fishing in Luxembourg

Luxembourg is small, yes, very small, but it has a great natural wealth and crystal clear water in many rivers and lakes. This great natural and aquatic wealth makes the Grand Duchy a paradise for anglers, but as in most European countries, there are regulations to be respected and licences to be obtained. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about fishing in Luxembourg, from the licences you need to obtain to the best places to go fishing.

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If you detest asking for permits and licences for everything, there is good news, pond fishing is allowed in Luxembourg without any licence. However, it is necessary to pay a fee for the use of water and facilities.

Welcome to the world of fishing in Luxembourg

Imagine casting your line in the sparkling waters of the Moselle, Sûre or Our rivers, surrounded by lush vegetation and the serene soundtrack of nature. Sounds idyllic, doesn't it? Well, get ready because here we are going to tell you everything you need to know to make it happen and start fishing in Luxembourg!

The first thing to know is that fishing in this charming country is a tradition steeped in respect for its rich biodiversity; it's not just fun or a way to catch dinner. The locals strive to preserve pristine rivers and conserve the species that inhabit them.

For this reason, there are regulations and in order to fish in Luxembourg, you need a fishing licence. But before we talk about licences, it is important to understand that the inland waters of the country are divided into two categories:

1st category waters

These are navigable and floatable waters in which the fish right belongs to the State (public waters). These are the Sûre along the course of the reservoirs of the Esch-sur-Sûre dam upstream of Esch-sur-Sûre and from the former Ettelbruck bridge to the mouth of the Our at Wallendorf.

2nd category waters

These are the non-navigable and non-floatable rivers (leased waters), where the fish right belongs to the residents, i.e. the Sûre upstream of the Esch-sur-Sûre dam reservoirs up to the Belgian border and downstream of these reservoirs up to the former Ettelbruck point, as well as all other inland waters.

A licence is required to fish in category one or two waters, and to fish in the private waters of category two, the written authorization of the lessee of the fishing lot is also required. The only place where fishing is allowed without a permit in the ponds, although, it is necessary to pay a fee for the use of the water and facilities.

The fishing licence in Luxembourg

Below, we will examine the different types of licences and how to obtain them. These are intended for all persons over 14 years of age, those under 14 years of age can fish in inland waters with a single hand line without any licence.

What licence types are available in Luxembourg

There are three types of permits, and each one grants different powers:

Ordinary permit

Allows the holder to fish in category 2 waters if he is the person entitled to fish or if he has obtained an authorisation from the person entitled to fish. It costs 18 euros per year or 4 euros per month.

Special permit A

In addition to the rights of the ordinary permit, it allows fishing from the shore in category 1 waters. It costs 30 euros per year or 6 euros per month.

Special permit B

In addition to the rights of the ordinary permit and special permit A, this permit entitles you to fish from a boat in category 1 waters. It costs 40 euros per year or 8 euros per month.

How to get a fishing licence in Luxembourg

The fishing permit can be applied for online on the MyGuichet.lu platform or in person by contacting the Registration Duties, Estates and VAT Authority (AED) at one of the following offices:

Civil Registry Office 2 Luxembourg.
Civil Registry Office Grevenmacher.
Civil Registry Office Diekirch.
Civil Registry Office Esch-sur-Alzette.

If you apply online, you must identify yourself, choose the licence type, the duration (one month or one year) and the date from which you want the permit to start. Then you must proceed with the payment directly online by credit card.

Once the payment has been made, you will receive the license in PDF format in the “My communications” tab of your personal space on MyGuichet.lu or by e-mail to the address you have indicated if you have completed the procedure without authentication.

Where to go fishing in Luxembourg

Now that you know how to get a fishing permit in Luxembourg, let's explore some of the best places to go fishing in the country.

Boulaide fishponds

Price: €€

Open now

It consists of three trout fishing ponds in a quiet place in the northwest of Luxembourg, almost at the border with Belgium. It is a place to spend some time with the family, the site has parking, a snack bar and a small store.

Address: rue de l'Etang, Boulaide

Reilerweier fishponds

Price: €€

Open now

The Reilerweier ponds are located in the north of the country, near the center of Clervaux and are managed by the Reilerweier campsite. There are two large ponds of about 1 hectare each, the first one is exclusively for trout fishing and the second one is exclusively for carp and sturgeon anglers who fish in the No-Kill mode.

Address: Maison 86, Reiler

Website: campingreiler.lu

Opening hours:

March 15 to October 19, 2025: Thursday to Sunday 07:00–13:00 and 13:00–19:00
July 1 to August 31, 2025: Monday to Sunday 07:00–13:00 and 13:00–19:00

Clémency fishponds

€20 — €35

Open now

The Clemency ponds are located in the west of the country, almost reaching Belgium and are home to carp, roach and trout. In order to fish in the ponds it is necessary to pay a fee of 20 euros for a half day of fishing or 35 euros for a full day. There is also a restaurant and a store selling some fishing tackle.

Address: 62 Rue de Grass, Clemency Käerjeng

Phone: (+352) 6 91 58 95 89

Website: um-kenzeger-weier.lu

Opening hours:

Monday to Wednesday: 07:00–22:00
Friday to Sunday: 07:00–23:00

Echternach lake in Luxembourg

€20 — €350

Open now

The lake of Echternach is located right next to the town of the same name at the German border. This beautiful place is full of both peaceful and predatory fish and is ideal for recreational and sport fishing. Fishing is open all year round but it is necessary to pay for a fishing permit whose cost is 20 euros for a daily license or 350 euros for an annual one although several other rates can be consulted directly on the lake's website.

Moreover, fishing is not the only activity that can be done there, it is also possible to rent pedal boats and the lakeshore offers a wide range of leisure, sports and cultural activities.

Adress: Echternach

Phone: (+352) 72 02 88

Website: lac-echternach.lu

Weiswampach lakes

Price: €€

Open now

If the idea of fishing in Luxembourg lakes appeals to you, we have another alternative to the lake of Echternach, we are talking about the lakes of Weiswampach, and we say lakes because there is not one but two lakes, although fishing is only allowed in the lower one.

Both lakes have a surface of six hectares each and although they are artificial, they are a real natural paradise. Fishing in the lower lake is allowed without a license only from September 16 to June 30. During the summer it is forbidden.

Adresss: Weiswampach

Phone: (+352) 97 91 99

Website: visit-weiswampach.lu

Opening hours :