Netherlands - Obtain a Recreational Fishing Licence (VISpas)

ProcedureEdit

When you go to a tackle shop or to your fishing club to purchase a VISpas for the first time, you will receive a Voorlopig Bewijs van Lidmaatschap / Tijdelijke VISpas (Temporary Proof of Membership / Temporary VISpas) (VBL) and the accompanying Lists of Fishing Waters. The upper part is the temporary written consent with which you can fish for one month. Make sure that this temporary proof of membership is fully completed; it is invalid if not entirely filled out.
The lower part of the application for the VISpas is also to be completed in full. You will need to send this part to Sportvisserij Nederland not later than one week after it has been issued. Your fishing club will send you the VISpas within 10 working days, after which you are a member of the fishing club until you resign.

Required DocumentsEdit

List down the documents required for successfully completing the procedure.

e.g.
1. Proof of child birth from the Hospital.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Sportvisserij Nederland
Postbus 162, 3720 AD Bilthoven
Telefoon (0900) 202 53 58

EligibilityEdit

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FeesEdit

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ValidityEdit

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e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to UseEdit

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Sample DocumentsEdit

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Processing TimeEdit

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InstructionsEdit

A VISpas can be purchased at a tackle shop. You may also apply for a VISpas through your rod sport club in which you are a member. The different types of VISpass (VISpas, JeugdVISpas and ZeeVISpas) are sent by Sportvisserij Nederland to the clubs in the second half of November. It is then up to the clubs when they send the passes to their members. Some clubs do this during their regular member evenings, others send them out by post. Note: Rod sports clubs that submit their membership lists too late will receive their passes at the beginning of December.

Most fishing clubs are associated with a regional federation as well as Sportvisserij Nederland. Once you become a member of a fishing club, you receive the VISpas.

Membership of a fishing club has the following advantages:

You receive a personal VISpas.
You avail of the legally required consent to fish.
This ensures that many waters in your direct vicinity and the rest of the Netherlands become fishable.
The fishing waters in your direct vicinity are well-maintained, also thanks to your contribution.
You can participate in all kinds of wonderful club activities concerning angling.
You receive Ht Visblad filled with tips and information twice a year.

Required InformationEdit

A list which displays the kind of information which is required to complete the procedure.
e.g.
1. Date of Birth.
2. City or County of Birth.

Need for the DocumentEdit

This procedure provides you information on how to apply for a fishing licence (VISpas) in the Netherlands.

Information which might helpEdit

Kleine VISpas (Small Fishing Pass)

The Kleine VISpas is the slimmed down VISpas and intended exclusively for anglers who do not wish to become a member of an associated fishing club. The Kleine VISpas is basically intended for anglers who wish to fish with one rod and limited (designated) types of bait.

The Kleine VISpas does not allow fishing for predatory fish (pike and pike perch) and is intended only for fishing during the day and on a limited number (and parts) of large rivers and lakes.

Youngsters under 14

Youngsters under 14 (reference date 1 January) who want to fish with two rods and any permitted bait can obtain the JeugdVISpas (junior fishing pass). When purchasing a JeugdVISpas, you are automatically a member of a fishing club and have all the advantages granted with a VISpas.

Other uses of the Document/CertificateEdit

VISpas (Fishing Licence/Pass)

The VISPas is available in a handy credit card format. The VISpas allows you to fish in all waters stated in the accompanying booklet entitled Lists of Fishing Waters (Gezamenlijke Lijst van Nederlandse Viswateren).

You may fish with two rods and use all permissible bait. You possess one pass as evidence of membership to your club, the federation and Sportvisserij Nederland.

It is not possible to obtain a single document for fishing throughout the whole of the Netherlands. This has something to do with issues of ownership. Usually the owner of the ground is the owner of the fishing rights, which means there are many different owners from private owners to local authorities, nature organizations, provincial authorities and many professional fishermen. These owners sometimes provide written permission (licence) for specific water, but not in all cases, in which event you may not fish (e.g. private water).

Fortunately, a large proportion of fishing waters are hired to rod sports clubs and federations that are affiliated to Sportvisserij Nederland. Together they have compiled their fishing waters, or parts of them, in the National List of Fishing Waters associated with the various types of VISpas. This National List of Fishing Waters is comparable with the comprehensive Grote Vergunninglijst. This means that 85% of all waters in the Netherlands have been incorporated. The aim of the forthcoming years is to make as many waters as possible nationally available for sport anglers.

External LinksEdit

Government of the Netherlands - Website
Sportvisserij Nederland

OthersEdit

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