If you want to go fishing, you need a fishing license. The prerequisite for this is passing the fishing examination. You can take this at the lower fishing authorities of the districts and independent cities.

The dates for the fishing examinations are set by the districts or independent cities as the responsible fishing authorities. The examination must be taken at least once a year. As a rule, 2 examinations are held per year. The examination date is announced by the fishing authority at least two months in advance. You must register with the fishing authority and pay the examination fee up to four weeks before the examination. Places are usually limited.

The fishing exam comprises 15 questions each in the subject areas of water science, fish science, equipment science and legal science, i.e. a total of 60 questions, of which at least 75% must be answered correctly within 2 hours.

In order to be admitted to the examination, proof of participation in an officially certified preparatory course must be provided. The course may not begin more than 18 months before the examination date. The course comprises at least 30 hours and is offered by angling clubs and educational institutions. The participation fees are charged by the providers themselves and may vary depending on the number of participants, for example. Information on the courses offered can be found in the online application "Fishing examination in Saxony-Anhalt". It is also possible to prepare for the fishing examination using the online application. An exam simulation enables an assessment of the level of knowledge acquired. The online application also provides information on upcoming examination dates.

Children from the age of 8 and citizens who only want to fish for peaceful fish have the opportunity to take a youth or peaceful fishing examination under simplified conditions in the form of an examination interview. These examinations are held by numerous angling clubs. The dates for the examinations are also communicated in the online application.

To fish in the respective body of water, you also need a fishing permit (fishing license), which must be obtained from the owner or fishing leaseholder of the body of water.

• Fishing examination in Saxony-Anhalt