The best fly fishing area in Germany is found on the private waters of some of the rivers in the Bavarian Alps, just over an hour from Munich. In Germany, you can catch brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, sea trout on the coast, grayling, barbel, pike, and carp.
Guided Fly Fishing Trip
Guided fishing trip based in XXXXX, in the German Alps.
The best trout fishing areas in Germany, logically, are located in the country’s most mountainous regions. Although Germany is not as well-known for its mountains as other Alpine countries like Switzerland or Austria, it boasts two magnificent fishing areas surrounded by beautiful mountains:
Bavarian Alps: The Bavarian Alps are located in southeastern Germany, in the state of Bavaria. This mountainous region is part of the Alps mountain range and stretches along the border with Austria. The Bavarian Alps are known for their stunning alpine landscapes, snow-capped peaks, picturesque valleys, and rivers with crystal-clear waters. Some highlights of the Bavarian Alps include the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain, and the Berchtesgaden National Park. This region is the best destination for fly fishing in Germany.
Black Forest: The Black Forest, located in southwestern Germany, is a mountainous region covered by dense fir and pine forests, which give it its name. Locally known as Schwarzwald, this stunning natural landscape also offers good opportunities for fly fishing, although not as good as those in the Bavarian Alps. Here, brown trout and grayling are wild and not from fish farm releases. This area of Germany is also known to anglers because over 100 years ago, Ernest Hemingway along with his wife Hadley visited its rivers to fish for trout.
Additionally, in eastern Germany lies the Ore Mountains, which serve as a natural border between Germany and the Czech Republic. There, you can also fish for trout in some of its rivers.
Most of the major rivers in Germany are in the western part of the country. The most important one is the Rhine, which also serves as a natural border with Switzerland and France and flows into the North Sea. Another important river is the Elbe, which runs from the Czech border in the southeast to also empty into the North Sea. Finally, there’s the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest and flows eastward, penetrating into the Bavarian plateau and eventually passing into Austria.
Most of the rivers where fly fishing is practiced in Germany are tributaries of these three rivers, and depending on the river you fish, you’ll find different species. For example, if you fish in the Danube River or its tributaries, you may have the opportunity to catch the famous Danube Salmon or Hucho, a fish from the Taimen family found in Mongolia and Russia that reaches large sizes. Additionally, there are different varieties of brown trout between different rivers, depending on whether they come from the North Sea or the Danube.
In general, the following native species can be fly-fished for in Germany:
And as exotic species stand out:
The best trout fishing waters are managed by hotels and private owners who hold fishing rights on those rivers. However, to fly fish in Germany, even in waters with private concessions, it is necessary to have the corresponding fishing license for each region.
After obtaining this fishing license, you can obtain the corresponding permit managed by a hotel, association, or private company. To do this, you will need to contact them and pay for the permits, usually in cash, as cards are not accepted.
