Closed seasons for fish species

Which sea fish species have a year-round closed season? Here you can read which species these are and what you must do.

Closed seasons for fish species

Closed season fish species

Pursuant to Article 2a, paragraph 2 of the Fisheries Act 1963 and Article 2 of the Regulation on minimum sizes and closed seasons 1985, the Minister of Economic Affairs may establish a closed season for certain fish species. Article 5c of the Fisheries Implementation Regulation lists the species with a closed season.

The Sportvisunie explains what a closed season means.

What does a closed season mean?

  • You must immediately return the fish to the same water.
  • You may not have the fish in your possession during the closed season.
  • A closed season does not prohibit fishing for that species.
  • The measure protects the species. It applies to everyone: recreational anglers and commercial fishermen.

Which species have a year-round closed season?

The following marine fish species are subject to a year-round closed season, meaning a mandatory release obligation:

  • salmon
  • sea trout
  • allis shad (elft)
  • twaite shad (fint)
  • sea lamprey (zeeprik)

For these marine fish species there is a year-round release obligation: salmon, sea trout, allis shad, twaite shad and sea lamprey.