The medium-sized river of Schelde (Antwerp) lies in Antwerp, Flanders, covering 55 hectares in Flanders. Species present include Bream, Zander, Pike, Perch, Roach, Flounder, Sea bass.
Night fishing at Schelde (Antwerp) is permitted with restrictions. Night fishing generally permitted with groot visverlof. Tidal river through central Antwerp — strong tidal influence, fish best 2hrs either side of high/low tide. Excellent zander and bream venue. Sea species present in lower reaches. Some sections near port infrastructure may have access restrictions. Check local signage near Antwerp city.. Regarding boats: Tidal navigation — extreme caution with tides and commercial shipping..
At just 112 miles from Calais, Schelde (Antwerp) is one of the closest quality fishing venues to the UK. Flanders — a flat, canal-rich landscape within easy reach of the Channel Tunnel — makes an excellent short-break destination.
Night fishing is permitted with restrictions. Night fishing generally permitted with groot visverlof. Tidal river through central Antwerp — strong tidal influence, fish best 2hrs either side of high/low tide. Excellent zander and bream venue. Sea species present in lower reaches. Some sections near port infrastructure may have access restrictions. Check local signage near Antwerp city.
Boats: Boats are permitted at Schelde (Antwerp). Tidal navigation — extreme caution with tides and commercial shipping.
Permits required: Vlaams visverlof (groot visverlof, ~€14.50/year from Natuur en Bos) required for all Flemish public waterways. Buy online at natuurenbos.vlaanderen.be or at the post office. Valid 1 Jan–31 Dec. Klein visverlof (~€6/year) for daytime only, 1 rod, no lures. Some waters require additional local fishing club membership card.
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) · www.visverlof.be
Schelde (Antwerp) holds bream, zander, pike, perch, roach, flounder, sea bass. Pike fishing is a key attraction.
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All year for most species on public waterways. Ecologically valuable waters: NO fishing 16 April–31 May (spawning). From 1 March–15 April in ecologically valuable waters: no bait fish or lures >2cm. Pike: closed 1 March–last Saturday April. Zander/Perch: closed 1 April–last Saturday April. Mandatory no-kill: Eel/Paling (full ban — immediate release). Waterlopen Zwalm and IJse: full mandatory no-kill all year, no bait fish.
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.
Schelde (Antwerp) is 112 miles from Calais, around 2 hours from the Channel Tunnel. Always verify current rules on the individual venue page before your session.
Antwerp is home to a number of public fishing venues accessible with a valid Belgian fishing permit. Use PiscaMaps to find all venues in Antwerp and across Flanders.