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Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal is a canal in Antwerp/Limburg, Flanders, Belgium. Species include Carp, Bream, Zander, Pike, Perch, Roach, Tench, with carp the main target for travelling anglers.
Night fishing is permitted at Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal. Night fishing permitted with Flemish visverlof (groot visverlof). Known locally as the 'Verbindingskanaal', this 12.5km connecting canal links the Albert Canal to the Kempisch Kanaal (Bocholt-Herentals). Historically significant for Belgian canal carp fishing — connected to the famous Mol power station warm-water system. Contains large carp throughout its length.. Regarding boats: Boats permitted. Less commercial traffic than the main canals.. Bivouac camping is permitted: Bivvy fishing permitted for night sessions on most stretches..
Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal is 226 miles from Calais. Flanders — a flat, canal-rich landscape within easy reach of the Channel Tunnel — is well worth the journey for UK anglers.
Night fishing is permitted at Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal. Night fishing permitted with Flemish visverlof (groot visverlof). Known locally as the 'Verbindingskanaal', this 12.5km connecting canal links the Albert Canal to the Kempisch Kanaal (Bocholt-Herentals). Historically significant for Belgian canal carp fishing — connected to the famous Mol power station warm-water system. Contains large carp throughout its length.
Boats: Boats are permitted at Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal. Boats permitted. Less commercial traffic than the main canals.
Bivouac: Bivvy fishing permitted for night sessions on most stretches.
Permits required: Flemish visverlof (groot visverlof, ~€14.50/year) required. Buy online at visverlof.be or from a Flemish post office. No additional club permit needed.
Fishing in Flanders requires a VISpas (Flemish fishing permit, groot visverlof), available from Sportvisserij Vlaanderen. Night fishing permissions are built into site-specific rules — no separate night permit is required in Flanders.
Local authority: Agentschap Natuur en Bos (ANB) · natuurenbos.vlaanderen.be
Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal holds carp, bream, zander, pike, perch, roach, tench. Carp fishing is the primary draw for visiting UK anglers.
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Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal holds carp among other species (carp, bream, zander, pike, perch, roach, tench). Carp are a key target species at Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal. Always check current permit requirements and night fishing status for this venue.
All year for coarse species. Closed season 16 April–31 May on ecologically sensitive stretches.
Fishing in Flanders requires a VISpas (groot visverlof, ~€14.50/year) from Sportvisserij Vlaanderen. Buy online at sportvisserijvlaanderen.be before leaving the UK — no separate night permit is needed in Flanders as night fishing permissions are built into site-specific rules. Always carry your licence while fishing.
Dessel-Kwaadmechelen Canal is 226 miles from Calais — allow 4 hours from the Channel Tunnel. Always verify current rules on the individual venue page before your session.
Belgium is one of the closest European fishing destinations for UK anglers. The Channel Tunnel (Folkestone–Calais, ~35 min) or P&O Ferries (Dover–Calais, ~90 min) both land you within 30–60 minutes of the Belgian border.
A Fishing Permit (visverlof / permis de pêche) is required to fish most Belgian public waters. Buy online at the Flemish Sports Agency or from local tackle shops. Private day-ticket lakes require an additional venue permit.
Belgium fishes year-round, though the official close season applies to some species on certain waters. Carp fishing is at its best from May through October, with warm summer nights producing the most consistent action. The Ardennes region offers quality trout fishing from April through September (subject to regional rules). Pike and perch on the large Walloon reservoirs (Lac de la Plate-Taille, Lac d'Eau d'Heure) fish well from October through February. For canal fishing, chub, roach and bream are active throughout the year.
Antwerp/Limburg is home to a number of public fishing venues accessible with a valid Belgian fishing permit. Use PiscaMaps to find all venues in Antwerp/Limburg and across Flanders.