Practical summary, not an official source. Prices and conditions change every year — the current information is on vispas.nl and in the VISplanner app.
Which pass do you need?
- VISpas — the standard licence for almost all Dutch inland water listed in the Gezamenlijke Lijst van Nederlandse Viswateren. You may fish with two rods and all permitted bait types, including artificial lures for pike, perch and zander. This is the pass you need for a day on our boats.
- Kleine VISpas — cheaper but limited: one rod, only certain bait types (no lures for predators) and a smaller list of waters. Not suitable for predator fishing.
- JeugdVISpas — for anglers under 14, with the same rights as the VISpas. Children under 14 may also fish for free with one rod alongside a VISpas holder, with limited bait.
What does a VISpas cost?
You buy the VISpas through an angling club affiliated with Sportvisserij Nederland; the price is the national fee plus your club's membership and therefore differs per club. Expect a few tens of euros per calendar year. If you buy later in the year you usually pay the full price, so in autumn it's worth checking whether a club offers a reduced rate for the rest of the year.
Where do you buy it?
- Go to vispas.nl and choose a club — for example one near Aalsmeer, or a national association if you have no link to a region.
- Complete the registration online. You immediately receive a temporary proof that lets you fish straight away; the card itself follows by post.
- Install the VISplanner app. It shows on the map whether the Westeinderplassen are covered by your pass and which conditions apply.
Only fishing for a day, or visiting from abroad?
Fish rarely, or coming from Belgium, Germany or the UK for a weekend? You have two options: buy a VISpas through a national association (possible online, also without a Dutch address), or a day or week permit for the specific water. Which permits exist for the Westeinderplassen is shown in the VISplanner or by the local club. A foreign fishing licence is not sufficient in the Netherlands.
Checks on the water
The Westeinderplassen are patrolled by enforcement officers of the angling federation. Without a valid VISpas you can be fined. Bring your pass (or the temporary proof on your phone) and a valid ID. We only rent out the boat; everyone on board who fishes arranges their own pass.
Read on
All the rules in one place: VISpas & rules. When you may not fish for pike: closed season for pike. Pass sorted? Hire a fishing boat in Aalsmeer from €69.