Located in Regio Zuidwest, Gouwe/Gouwekanaal is a intimate canal of 2 hectares open to fishing under the Dutch VISpas system. Known locally as Gouwe en Gouwekanaal. Species include Carp, Bream, Zander, Pike, Perch, Roach, with carp present and subject to mandatory catch-and-release under Dutch rules.
Night fishing at Gouwe/Gouwekanaal is permitted with restrictions. Night fishing — check VISplanner. No fishing within 30m of railway bridges and outgoing wijken. Fish removal banned for all species except 1 zander per day. Fishery rights: HSV GHV Groene Hart + Algemeene Zuid-Hollandsche Hengelaarsbond.. Regarding boats: Boats and belly boats permitted. Stay clear of commercial navigation channels..
Gouwe/Gouwekanaal is 144 miles from Calais, making it a realistic destination for a long weekend carp trip from the UK.
Night fishing is permitted with restrictions. Night fishing — check VISplanner. No fishing within 30m of railway bridges and outgoing wijken. Fish removal banned for all species except 1 zander per day. Fishery rights: HSV GHV Groene Hart + Algemeene Zuid-Hollandsche Hengelaarsbond.
Boats: Boats are permitted at Gouwe/Gouwekanaal. Boats and belly boats permitted. Stay clear of commercial navigation channels.
Permits required: VISpas (~€40/year) required. NachtVIStoestemming (€17.50) for night fishing. Derde Hengeltoestemming (€32.50) for 3rd rod where permitted. Check VISplanner (visplanner.nl). Max 1 zander per day — all other species: no removal.
VISpas (~€40/year) — required to fish most public waters in the Netherlands. Available online at sportvisserijnederland.nl.
NachtVIStoestemming (€17.50/year) — required in addition to the VISpas for night fishing. Night fishing is permitted here with restrictions — check VISplanner for current rules.
Always verify rules on VISplanner.nl before your session — rules can vary by specific water.
Gouwe/Gouwekanaal holds carp, bream, zander, pike, perch, roach. Note: carp are mandatory catch-and-release on Dutch public waters — they must be returned alive.
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All year for most species. Closed season: Pike 1 March–last Saturday May; Zander & Perch 1 April–last Saturday May. Bait restriction 1 April–last Saturday May.
All anglers fishing Dutch public waters require a VISpas (~€40/year) from Sportvisserij Nederland — buy online at sportvisserijnederland.nl before leaving the UK. For night fishing, an additional NachtVIStoestemming (€17.50/year) is required. Always check VISplanner.nl for current rules on the specific water before your session.
Gouwe/Gouwekanaal is 144 miles from Calais — reachable via the Hook of Holland ferry or Channel Tunnel in under 3 hours. No booking required — Dutch public waters operate on free access under the VISpas system.
Regio Zuidwest covers a wide range of public fishing venues accessible under the VISpas system. Use PiscaMaps to find all venues in this region.