Fishing in the world: what are the international licenses and how to get them

Fishing in the world: what are the international licenses and how to get them

The moment you decide to organize a joke of fishing abroad, selecting one's destination and starting to fantasize about the preys that will settle there is not enough: regardless of one's destination, it is necessary to inquire about licenses and permits needed for sport fishing.

In fact, there are destinations where particular permits are not required for fishing, such as Hawaii or some areas of Sweden and Norway, but the situation can be very different. Almost all the countries of the world have adopted over time international licenses for sport fishing, which often have a limited validity and can change from one region to another, as happens for example in our country or in Canada.

Sport fishing abroad: licenses and permits

When planning a trip to fishing abroad, one immediately thinks of the equipment to bring, the climate that will be found on site but above all the challenges that will lead to the most spectacular catches of our adventure.

Before leaving, however, it is essential to find out about the licenses and permits needed to fish in the waters of our destination: unfortunately there are no rules valid all over the worldEach country has its own regulations and often its own method of obtaining sport fishing licenses.

To get an idea of ​​how much licensing varies internationally, just take a look at the regulations governing licensing recreational and tourist fishing in some of the most loved destinations by enthusiasts from all over the world, from the lakes of Sweden to the Maldives.

Fishing in Sweden: do you need a license?

Who decides to fish in Sweden he must have his destination very clear: in fact, in some areas fishing is free and permits are not required, but in a large part of the national territory it is required to be in possession of a special license.

You can fish without permits at sea, along the coast, and in the five large lakes Vänern, Vättern, Hjälmaren, Mälaren and Storsjön. For all other basins it is necessary to purchase a permit, which is issued by whoever holds the fishing rights in the area.

It is important to find out about the regulations in force in the place where you fish, since there are areas where fishing is absolutely prohibited and others where it is only permitted seasonally and according to certain limits.

Even in the nearby Norway sea ​​fishing is free, while to fish in fresh water it is necessary to purchase a permit which is issued on a local basis – and which in some cases is limited to certain species. If you want to fish anadromous such as salmon, trout or arctic char in river waters, it is necessary to obtain a special national permit, which can be purchased online.

Fishing in Canada: the necessary permits

Staying on the subject of anadromes, trout enthusiasts cannot miss a Steelhead hunt along the lake Skeena River, in Canadian British Columbia, famous for being a salmon reserve of all species and all ages.

As happens in Italyin Canada the rules change from region to region: if in the British Columbia the license can be purchased online and can be customized according to needs, in Ontario you need to get one released Outdoor Card and a fishing license, which can be valid for up to 8 days.

In Quebec, however, there are two types of permits: the fishing license for non-residents and the sporting license for Atlantic salmon fishing, required for anyone intending to fish for this species but also for all those who fish in salmon waters or during their spawning season.

Sport fishing in the United States

Alaska e Hawaii they are destinations at the antipodes, also as regards sport fishing licenses, and are a good indication of the differences that can be found between one US state and another.

fish in Hawaii no particular permission is required yet, even if the Division of Aquatic Resources made it clear that we can expect news for the next few years.

The discourse is different Alaska, on the other side of the States: to fish in the crystal clear waters of the north you need a sport fishing license which can be purchased online and in most sporting goods stores. If you want to fish the king salmon, however, it is necessary to request a special stamp.

Maldives: the rules for fishing

fish in the Maldives a particular permit is not required, but there are very strict rules in the field of fishing: in the tropical paradise of the Giant Trevally it is absolutely forbidden fish in nature reserves e use the speargun, and fishing from resort beaches is rarely allowed.

For most species only trapping is permitted catch and release, while it is strictly forbidden to fish for sharks, sea turtles, specimens of female lobster with eggs and napoleon fish; however, almost all types of fishing are allowed in the Maldives, from Big Game to the trolling.

In June 2023 the Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture updated the general fishing regulation, inserting further restrictions and expanding the list of protected species.