Fishing in Switzerland

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Fishing in Switzerland

• There are 32,000 Km of streams and rivers in Switzerland and 839 square Km of lakes (see Wikipedia for a list of all the lakes in Switzerland)
• The highest water level in Switzerland is 1965m above sea level and the lowest point is at Lake Maggiore on the Italian border at 195m above sea level
• The most common fish are trout, char, pike and perch

The Law & Fishing Permits

Each canton is responsible for issuing its own fishing permits or licences and the regulations vary according to the area, and to whether the licence is for lake or river fishing. 

Permits sold allow fishing for a single day, a week, a month or a full year. The permit rates vary from canton to canton, furthermore a permit must be bought specific to each fishing area, as there are different prices for each lake and river. 

Always consult the local cantonal office before fishing; there are penalties for fishing without a licence.

• For more information from each canton see: The Swiss Portal 

Accepted Practices

Each canton publishes guidelines on the best practices to be followed by anyone fishing in Swiss waters. This is in the interests of the environment and for the protection of the natural habitat. The natural environment both above and below the water should not be disturbed by the fishing.

Polluting the lakes and rivers is strictly against the law and any evidence of pollution must be reported to the cantonal authorities immediately so that clean up operations can be put in place to minimise damage. Littering is forbidden.

Intruding on the feeding, breeding and nesting of the cormorant and heron and other water birds is forbidden, as is disturbing small riverside and lakeside animals.

Cantonal authorities must approve nets and hooks. 

• The Swiss Fishing Federation has a code of conduct, which should be followed by any person fishing (in French and German).
• Federal advice for Playing fair with nature when fishing

Fishing in Geneva

Fishing is permitted on Lake Geneva. 

For more information:

Information on the main fishing towns on Lake Geneva, rescue services, weather reports and information on the different techniques used for fishing in Lake Geneva from Léman Peche (in French)

• Amicale des Pêcheurs du Lac (Lake Geneva fishing club)
  Tel: +41 (0)79 688 37 92
  Website (in French)

The Fédération Genevoise des Sociétés de Pêche and the AGSP Association Genevoise des Sociétés de Pêche provide up-to-date information on fishing conditions, licences and general information.

• Fédération Genevoise des Sociétés de Pêche
  Tel: 022 757 6957 
  Website (in French)
• The Swiss Angling Association (Schweiz Fischerei Verband / Association Suisse de Pêcheurs) 
  Sekretariat Thomas Winzeler
  At: Seilerstrasse 27, 3011 Berne
  Tel: +41 (0)31 381 32 52
  Website

Further Information

• Guide to Fishing and Hunting from The Swiss Portal
• The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment
• The Swiss fish industry website FischNetz
• The Swiss centre for aquatic research eawag
• The protection of animals and fish agfish
  

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