Through fisheries management, the Ruhrverband ensures healthy fish stocks in its reservoirs that are adapted to the specific water conditions. These fishing grounds therefore enjoy an excellent reputation among recreational anglers far beyond the borders of the Sauerland region.
The high numbers of predatory fish in all of the Ruhrverband's reservoirs are remarkable, with large lake trout, pike, pikeperch and perch. Whitefish and vendace anglers get their money's worth at the Henne, Möhne, Sorpe, Bigge and Lister dams. The shallow reservoir forebays are excellent areas for carp and whitefish anglers. Good stocks of eel complete the range of fishing opportunities.
A fishing licence is required for fishing in the Ruhrverband reservoirs. With the combined annual licence, a fishing licence for the Henne, Möhne, Sorpe and Biggetal dams as well as the non-protected part of the Listertal dam, you can fish over 2,000 hectares of water in the region.
Of course, you can also purchase annual, weekly, two-day and daily licences for the reservoirs within the area of validity of the combined annual licence, which are then only valid for a specific reservoir. The drinking water reservoirs of the Ruhrverband, i.e. the Ennepe, Verse and Fürwigge reservoirs and the protected part of the Lister reservoir, may only be fished with annual licences, which are issued in limited numbers.
The fishing licences (fishing permit contracts) for the Ruhrverband dams are available either in the online shop or at the usual issuing offices.
The Ruhrverband also promotes the attractiveness of its reservoirs for recreational anglers with angling-friendly conditions such as night fishing permits in the summer months, the free use of rowing boats and authorisation to use electric motors. The safe operation of the reservoirs, the protection of nature and the protection of the interests of other water sports enthusiasts are always an important concern. Fishing is therefore not permitted in protected and breeding areas, in the vicinity of technical facilities and in areas reserved for other dam uses. In this way, the Ruhrverband ensures that the reservoirs with their diverse range of functions remain attractive fishing grounds in the future.
Our fishing website provides you with detailed information on fishing at the Ruhrverband dams.
Fishing is also permitted in the Ruhr itself and in the Ruhr reservoirs. Further information on this is available from the Ruhr fishing co-operative.
The Ruhrverband's leisure regulations contain rules on the proper use of the reservoirs for leisure activities.
