What are the best fishing spots at Lake Constance?

Short answer: there isn’t a legal spot on Lake Constance where you can fish without a license. Bodensee (the lake) is shared by Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and all public waters require a valid fishing permit for most anglers. Your gear (single hook, float, no live bait) doesn’t circumvent licensing rules.

What you can do instead (legally and practically)

• Get a short-term license for the country you’ll fish in:
  • Germany (Baden-Württemberg/Bavaria areas around the lake): ask at local tourist offices or fishing clubs for a Tageskarte (day ticket) or Gastfischerkarte.
  • Austria (Vorarlberg/upper Lake area): obtain a Tageserlaubnis or tourist fisher license via the local municipality or fishing club.
  • Switzerland (cantonal area around Lake Constance): buy a cantonal fishing license and any required local permits from the cantonal fishery office or a licensed shop.
• If you’re visiting briefly, look for “day passes” or guest fishing cards offered by local clubs or marinas. These are designed for tourists and are the simplest way to fish legally for a day.

Gear tips for a legal, minimal setup (with a license)

• Rig: simple float rig with a single hook (size 6–12, depending on target species) and a small lead.
• Bait options (non-live): bread, corn, dough balls, or small artificial lures. These are effective for perch and small pike and comply with “no live bait” rules.
• Locations to start after you’re licensed: shallow bays and reedbeds around Untersee and Obersee edges, fish near weedlines, and along the Rhine delta where perch and zander are common.

Always carry your license and local permits, follow bag limits and seasonal rules, and respect local access points and private piers. If you want, tell me which country you’ll fish in or your travel plans, and I’ll map out exact spots and license steps for you. Tight lines!

Great question. The Swiss cantonal license is issued by the canton you’ll fish in (Schaffhausen, Thurgau, or St. Gallen around Lake Constance). Here’s how to find and buy it:

• Best starting point: official cantonal fishing or “Fischerei” websites

  • Thurgau, Schaffhausen, and St. Gallen each have a page for the Fischereischein or Gastfischerkarte. Look for terms like “Fischereischein,” “Gastfischerkarte,” or “Tageskarte.”

• Online purchase steps (typical):

  1. Choose the canton you’ll fish in (Schaffhausen, Thurgau, or St. Gallen).
  2. Go to the cantonal fishery administration page or the tourism/fisheries portal.
  3. Select the license type (day pass for visitors, guest license, or longer-term license).
  4. Create an account, enter your details, and pay.
  5. Print or save the digital license and carry a valid ID.

• Alternative options if online isn’t convenient:

  • Local fishing clubs or associations (Gastfischerkarten).
  • Tourist information offices or marinas around Lake Constance.
  • Sports shops near the lake that handle cantonal permits.

• Quick tips:

  • Have your passport or ID handy; you’ll often need an ID for the license.
  • Some cantons require a short knowledge course or confirmation of basic fishing rules.
  • If you tell me which canton you’ll fish (Schaffhausen, Thurgau, or St. Gallen), I’ll fetch the exact online link and the precise steps for that canton.

If you want, tell me your planned canton and whether you need a single-day pass or a longer-term license, and I’ll give you the exact purchase link and steps. Tight lines!

Nice choice. For St. Gallen canton (Lake Constance area), you’ll need a Gastfischerkarte (guest license) or a Tageskarte (day pass) from the cantonal fisheries office. Here’s how to get it.

• Online starting point

  • Visit the official St. Gallen cantonal website and search for “Fischerei” or “Gastfischerkarte.” The page is usually under the natural environment or tourism sections.
  • Look for terms like “Fischereischein,” “Fischereischein SG,” or “Gastfischerkarte.”
  • If you want, I can fetch the exact current link for you and provide a direct step-by-step.

• Alternatives if online isn’t convenient

  • Local tourist offices around Lake Constance in St. Gallen area.
  • Marinas and fishing clubs; they often issue guest licenses or can point you to the right buying point.
  • Some sports shops near the lake also handle cantonal permits.

• What to choose

  • Tageskarte (day pass) for short visits.
  • Gastfischerkarte for a few days to a week or longer, if you’re staying longer.
  • Always carry a valid photo ID; you may need it to register.

• Typical process (general)

  1. Select license type (day pass or guest card) for St. Gallen.
  2. Create an account or log in on the cantonal portal.
  3. Enter your details and payment.
  4. Print or save the digital license and carry it with you.
  5. Adhere to local rules, bag limits, and any seasonal closures.

If you share your travel dates (how many days) and whether you want a one-day pass or a longer license, I’ll pull the exact SG purchase link and give you a precise, step-by-step path. Tight lines!

Arbon is in Switzerland, in the canton of St. Gallen, on the eastern shore of Lake Constance. For fishing terms, it falls within the St. Gallen Lake Constance fishing region, i.e., the Untersee portion of the lake.

What this means for you:

• License: you’ll need a St. Gallen Gastfischerkarte (guest license) or Tageskarte (day pass) for the Untersee area.
• Where to buy: official St. Gallen cantonal fishery portal, local fishing clubs around Lake Constance, marinas, or tourist offices in Arbon/Romanshorn.
• Quick tips: carry a valid photo ID, and choose Tageskarte for a short visit or Gastfischerkarte if you’ll be staying a few days.

If you’d like, I can pull the exact current link to the SG Fischerei page and give you a step-by-step purchase guide tailored to Arbon. Just tell me your planned dates and whether you want a one-day pass or a longer license. Tight lines!

Romanshorn is right on Lake Constance’s eastern shore, in the canton of St. Gallen. It sits in the Untersee region, so fishing there falls under the St. Gallen Untersee licensing rules.

What this means for you:

• License needed: a St. Gallen Gastfischerkarte (guest license) or Tageskarte (day pass) for the Untersee area, which includes Romanshorn.
• Where to buy:
  • Official St. Gallen cantonal fishery portal (Fischerei/Gastfischerkarte)
  • Local fishing clubs around Lake Constance
  • Marinas and tourist offices in Romanshorn
• Quick purchase path:
  1. Choose Tageskarte for a short visit or Gastfischerkarte for a multi-day stay.
  2. Create an account on the cantonal portal or the club portal.
  3. Enter details, pay, and receive a digital or printable license.
  4. Carry the license and a valid ID; follow local rules.

Tips for Romanshorn:

• Best areas: shallow bays and weedbeds around the Untersee shore; perch and pike are common targets.
• Bait: since you prefer non-live options, bread, corn, dough balls, or small soft lures work well with the standard single-hook rig.
• Check seasonal rules and bag limits for Untersee and any local access points.

If you’d like, tell me your travel dates and whether you want a one-day pass or a longer license, and I’ll fetch the exact current link for Romanshorn and lay out a step-by-step purchase guide. Tight lines!

Nice—fishing near Romanshorn in the Untersee part of Lake Constance gives you plenty of shore access and productive edges.

Recommended spots near Romanshorn

• Romanshorn harbor area and adjacent quay: sheltered water, structure, and easy access. Great for a quick session with a float rig.
• Public lakeside promenades and small bays along the eastern Untersee shore: look for weed edges, reed beds, and drop-offs where fish hug the cover.
• Shallow bays between Romanshorn and nearby villages on the Untersee shore: these often hold perch and pike, especially early morning or late evening.

Gear and technique (non-live bait)

• Rig: simple float rig with a single hook (size 6–12 depending on target), light lead to keep the float stable in the chop.
• Bait options (non-live): breadcrumbs or bread balls, corn, dough balls, or small soft plastic lures. These work well for perch and can attract pike with a deeper setup.
• Depth and presentation: start shallow (0.5–2 m) near weed edges; if you find deeper channels, try casting to the edge and letting the bait sink slowly.
• Timing: dawn and dusk are usually best; weekdays can be quieter, especially in harbor areas.

Licensing

• Location: Untersee, so you’ll need a St. Gallen Gastfischerkarte or Tageskarte for the Untersee.
• Where to buy: official St. Gallen cantonal fishery portal, local clubs around Lake Constance, marinas, or tourist offices in Romanshorn.
• Quick tip: carry a valid photo ID and check any local seasonal rules or bag limits.

If you share how many days you’ll be fishing and whether you want a one-day pass or longer license, I’ll tailor a purchase link and give you a precise spot list (with quick GPS-friendly tips) for Romanshorn. Tight lines!