Summary of the national VISpas rules. Individual waters can have stricter rules — always check the VISplanner app.
The dates
- Pike: closed season from 1 March up to and including the last Saturday of May. From the last Saturday of May you may target pike again.
- Zander and perch: closed season from 1 April up to and including the last Saturday of May.
- Bait ban: from 1 April up to and including the last Saturday of May you may not fish inland waters with worms, dead fish, pieces of fish, offal or artificial lures larger than 2.5 cm.
Why a closed season?
Pike spawn in early spring in shallow water, often in the margins and ditches of lakes like the Westeinderplassen. During that period the fish are vulnerable and easy to catch. The closed season protects the spawning and the young fish so the stock stays healthy — for your autumn fishing day too.
What is allowed in March?
In March pike are closed but perch and zander are not. You may fish with lures or dead bait, but any pike you catch must be released immediately and as carefully as possible. Deliberately targeting pike — big shads or dead bait on pike spots — is not the idea in March. If you want to go out in March, fish smaller lures for perch and zander.
What is allowed from April to the end of May?
In this period all three predators are closed and the bait ban applies on top. Fishing for coarse fish with corn, bread, paste or maggots is fine, as are lures smaller than 2.5 cm. So that's the time for the pole and the feeder, not the predator rod.
When does the pike season on the Westeinderplassen start?
Officially from the last Saturday of May. In practice the best boat fishing for pike starts in October, when the water cools, the weed dies back and the fish move to the edges of reed beds and channels. That's why we hire out our fishing boats from October to February for €150 per day. Read more about the season in pike fishing on the Westeinderplassen.
Always release
Independent of the closed season, the VISpas has a year-round take ban on pike. All the rules are on VISpas & rules; no pass yet? See buying a VISpas.