This page is a practical summary, not legal advice. The current conditions are always in the VISplanner app and on the Sportvisserij Nederland website. Check them before you fish.
The VISpas
To fish in public water in the Netherlands you need a VISpas, the national fishing licence. You get one as a member of an angling club affiliated with Sportvisserij Nederland, or temporarily as a day or week pass. The VISpas comes with the Gezamenlijke Lijst van Nederlandse Viswateren (list of waters); the free VISplanner app shows exactly whether your pass covers the Westeinderplassen and which special conditions apply. We only rent out the boat: everyone on board who fishes brings their own valid VISpas and can show it when checked.
Visiting from abroad? A VISpas or day/week permit can be arranged online, also without a Dutch address.
Closed seasons
- Pike: closed season from 1 March up to and including the last Saturday of May. If you do catch a pike in that period, release it immediately.
- Zander and perch: closed season from 1 April up to and including the last Saturday of May.
- Bait: 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.
Outside those periods — so in our fishing season from October to February — you may fish for predators with artificial lures and dead bait.
Release and fish handling
- Under the VISpas conditions you always release pike immediately. Other species have take limits and minimum sizes, also in the VISplanner.
- Fishing with live bait (live fish or other vertebrates) is prohibited.
- Use an unhooking mat, pliers and preferably barbless hooks. Keep the fish out of the water briefly and let it recover next to the boat.
- With a standard VISpas you may fish with a maximum of two rods; a third rod requires an additional permit.
- Night fishing is only allowed where the list says so, often only with a NachtVISpas.
On the water
When stationary, stay outside the channel. Keep your distance from other anglers and boats, keep right and give way to commercial traffic and sailing boats. Take your rubbish back; discarded line and hooks are dangerous to birds. More on boating without a licence in fishing without a boat licence.
Ready for your fishing day?
VISpas sorted? Then all you need is a boat. Fishing boat hire in Aalsmeer for €150 per day, fuel included and no licence needed.