Question 1

When is fishing allowed in Switzerland?

Accepted Answer

In principle, fishing is allowed all year round. However, there are closed seasons especially for trout. They may only be fished from May to October, so that they have their rest in the spawning season.

Question 2

Do I need a fishing license in Switzerland and what does it cost?

Accepted Answer

A fishing license costs CHF 25. At many lakes, however, daily patents are issued for the same price via vending machines. At some larger and smaller lakes, fishing is even allowed according to free fishing law without a certificate of expertise (SANA) or patent. These include:

Lake Zurich
Greifensee
Lake Pfäffikon
Lake Walen Lakes with day pass include:
Bachalpsee
Göscheneralpsee There are also patents with several days duration.

Question 3

What is the best time for fishing?

Accepted Answer

The best time to fish is in the early morning or early evening. Midday is the least suitable for fishing.

Question 4

Are there any prohibitions when fishing?

Accepted Answer

Fishing and then releasing it back into the water ("catch and release") and fishing with live fish as bait is prohibited by the Swiss Animal Protection Ordinance.

Question 5

Which fishing rod is suitable for trout fishing?

Accepted Answer

For fishing the mountain trout you best take a spinning rod, also called trout rod. It is particularly flexible and rather light.

Question 6

What types of bait are suitable for trout fishing?

Accepted Answer

There are very different baits that are suitable for catching the lake trout. Their use depends, for example, on the season, the weather and the nature of the lake. Suitable for trout fishing are for example:

Trout dough of various colors (in cold water it should have an intense smell of garlic)
Spinners and spoons (can be cast particularly far)
Rubber bait
Zophoba larvae (larva of the large black beetle, which looks like a large mealworm)
Bee maggots
Plugs

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