Hi,

I was speaking to somebody at work yesterday, who admittedly lived in Germany. But anyway, I asked about fishing licences, and whether kids needed them.

She said, that not only did everyone need their own licence, they had to also take a "fishing test", and licences were very expensive. Supposedly this goes for Switzerland and Germany.

From reading the other fishing threads, I've gleaned that the licensing system seems to vary canton to canton, and maybe even lake to lake. But no-one mentions having to take an exam.

Can someone offer any sage advice?

cheers,
(Mr)Wibble

PS> Is there a special discount in the licensing scheme for people who don't ever actually catch anything.

Hi Mr Wibble


Fishing test: for most kantons this is not obligitory at the moment (I think for some it maybe), however, I was told a couple of years ago that it may become obligiory soon. To take the test you buy the 'test book' Schweizer Sportfischer Brevet, you can usually buy it at fishing tackle shops or have a look at this link http://www.petri-heil.ch/sportfische...ehrmittel.html. When you buy the book, this includes your fee for the test, about CHF 48- from memory.The book contains all the questions you will encounter in the test, and all the answers are there too, however, depending on your German skills will depend on how quick you can find or understand the answers oh, and the questions. There are 140 possible questions listed in the book, all multiple choice, and when you take the test you will get 70 of these questions to answer. "I think" you are allowed to get up to 15 wrong, any more and you fail. Test evenings are usually run by fishing clubs on specific dates, maybe only once a year at each club. Here is a link to test dates and locations, you have to book your place http://www.petri-heil.ch/sportfische...t/termine.html.
Don't panic!!! I have been told the German test is much more difficult than the Swiss one, and like I said in most kantons it is not yet obligitory.

As for fishing permits, yes every kanton has it's own licencing system. Zurich for example (if you live in the kanton) you can fish certain lakes for free as long as you are only using one rod and line/hook from the bank. I would suggest checking the kantonal website for where you live or intend to fish.
Cheers

Jon

www.have-a-go-flyfishing.com

This is the funniest thing I have heard today.

What do they test ?

para 1.2.1.2 Erection of folding stool and demonstration of correct umbrella angle
...
para 1.2.4.3 (i) correct demonstration of fish size boasting"
para 1.2.4.3 (ii) adequate description of non-landed fish to be utilised in later discussion demonstrated as at para 2.3.2
...
para 2.3.2 competent demonstation of post fishing round-buying behaviour

Does everything have to be controlled and regulated ?
dave

I don't know if its true - but at least it sounds very "Swiss", so might well be. I've been fishing only in Ticino (nice fly fishing there) - you need to buy a permit (for a few days or even the whole season), but there's no exam....

The Swiss are a bit crazy with all their exams - you need one to play golf (and, no, foreign ones are not accepted), you need one to go sailing (and again: a foreign sailing license is not accepted), so why not introduce a fishing exam. Sometimes I wonder how its allowed to ride a mountain bike without a special Swiss mountain biking permit.

Interesting link, Jon T. According to the website, the Brevet is required in canton GR, LU, TG and BS, and fully recognised in Germany and Austria.


You have everything covered if you have a bike vignette. Which reminds me, I have to buy the 2008 one until the end of May.

Hi Nathu

thanks for clarifying which kantons require you to have taken the test.
As far as I am aware, (in the case of Germany) although your Brevet is recognised you must still obtain a German licence from the authorities there. I was told that you simply show your Swiss Brevet and they will issue you the German equivalent, once you've parted with some cash of course!

Jon


www.have-a-go-flyfishing.com

I would like to buy a fish license.



Sorry, off topic, couldn't resist.

hi

does anyone know if it is possible to take this test in english somewhere? i'm ZRH based and my german is terrible, though i could study for a french version.

bill

It is quite common here in Europe to take a fisherman licence test. It is similar in Poland as well, so I wouldnt be surprised that in German and Switzerland is alike. I remember in my younger years when I used to be into this type of things. There were the books from which one had to learn about different fish species and their minimum size lengths allowed to catch, types of aquatic locations, fishing periods and similar type of thingy... One had to take a test at the panel of examining commision and if passed then one would get a fishing licence. As far as I remember there was also an annual fee to be paid. I treated it as a hobby and I loved to learn anything about modern rods, spinning-reels, lines, hookes and lures. My favourite brands were Cardinal and Mepps lures and I was chasing after pike, perch in rivers and lakes. Good olden days

Bill my German is not great but there is an online training facility which helps, the test consists of about 140 multiple choice questions from which they take 70 (this may have changed as the new test came into force Jan 1 09) you have to memorize the 140 and the answers and hope you get 50 ok.

http://www.petri-heil.ch/sportfischer-brevet/info.html

you can see the online training facility here

If you need any help PM me

As far as I know the test is only in German. The on line training is very useful, it used to cost CHF10- for a month and you could use the online service as many times as you like during that period. I took the test a couple of years ago but there is now a new version, based on the same principle but with some additions, espeially now they have banned catch and release here as well, crazy Swiss rules Almost everywhere else in the world promotes catch and release to preserve fish stocks, so I suppose the Swiss authorities have to be different.

You will need to get the book which is also your entry fee for the test (well it used to be), the book contains all the questions and all of the answers (in German). I haven't read through the new version yet so I don't know how different it is form the old one.

If I can be of any further help drop me a PM and I'll get back to you after my fishing trip

thanks for that guys.

guess i will have to really ramp up the german or improve the comit to memory technique.

i saw the catch / no release rules on the french side but did not realise it was at a federal level. crazy.

JonT i've seen your website and will probably be arranging a few days with you for some fly fishing in a few weeks hopefully.

bill

cyrus, You definitely need a Thanks for that, very funny indeed, off topic or not. There was no, Thanks button, to press on your post, so I have had to go off topic to post this. I hope that I don't get my licence revoked.

I can recommend Jon's teaching, first class, friendly and I even caught fish on my first day!

Hi Bill

there are ways and means to learning the test, you don't need to understand every single word, sentence or paragraph. I'll take a look at the new test when I get back from my trip.
Fishing starts here soon!!!

Cheers
Jon

Is it the 1st of April today ??

Unfortunately not...

Evening All

On the subject of fishing licenses - do these apply also to vistors and if so can visitors get a short term license? Any idea on costs?

My dad is coming over to visit mid May and fancies doing some fishing in Lake Zurich - I know nothing about fishing whatsoever so have no clue as what type of rod etc..but is it worth him bringing his gear over or just one huge hassle to do it legally as a tourist?

Thanks for any advice you may have.

Cheers

JosK

Hi Josk

I've never enquired about getting a visitor license for the lake of Zurich, here is the web page with contact details for the kanton of zurich fishing and hunting

http://www.fjv.zh.ch/internet/bd/aln/fjv/de/home.html

give them a call and they'll tell you what you need

Cheers

Jon

Josk

just had another quick look, I think it will cost CHF25- for a day ticket.

Cheers

Jon