Best Times & Seasons to Fish in The Netherlands (Full Guide)

The Netherlands offers some of the best fishing in Europe. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in the Netherlands are spring and autumn, particularly from April to June and September to October when fish species are more active and water temperatures are moderate.

Month	Netherlands Fishing Location
January	The Biesbosch: Teeming with pike in its dense reed banks.
February	The Twente Canal, Almelo: Ice fishing for bream beneath frosted willows.
March	The Amstel River, Amsterdam: Early season predator angling amidst historic city views.
April	The Markermeer: Trophy pike lure fishing under blooming tulips on the banks.
May	The Grevelingen Lake, Zeeland: Flounder and seabass thrive in the saltwater lagoon.
June	The Haringvliet, South Holland: Carp fishing on mirror-flat water under the summer sun.
July	The Rhine River, near Arnhem: Barbel aplenty in the vigorous river currents.
August	The Maas River, Limburg: Zander angling in the sultry, languid evenings.
September	The IJsselmeer: Coarse fishing amidst the turning leaves and migrating birds.
October	The Linge River, Gelderland: Perch fishing amidst the russet and gold of Dutch autumn.
November	The Veerse Meer, Zeeland: Roach and Rudd fishing under the crisp fall sky.
December	The Scheldt River, near Antwerp: Winter cod from the estuary’s chilly depths.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in the Netherlands. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Times: Freshwater Fishing in The Netherlands

The IJsselmeer, near Amsterdam: Pike-perch are plentiful from September to December in this large freshwater lake.

River Waal, near Nijmegen: Carp and Bream fishing is excellent during the warmer months from June to August.

River Maas, near Maastricht: Known for its Pike and Perch fishing, best between September and November.

Volkerak Lakes, near Rotterdam: Large Pike and Zander abound here during the autumn months, October to November.

Veluwerandmeren, near Harderwijk: Great for Bream and Roach, particularly from April to June.

River Linge, near Geldermalsen: Known for its Carp fishing, particularly in the warmer months from May to September.

Lauwersmeer, Groningen: A fantastic spot for Pike fishing from October to March.

Twente Canal, near Hengelo: Known for its Carp and Roach, best from April to June.

The Haringvliet, near Hellevoetsluis: Offers excellent Perch fishing from September to November.

Hollands Diep, near Dordrecht: A hotspot for Bream and Roach from June to August.

Amsterdam-Rhine Canal, near Utrecht: Known for its Carp and Bream, best fished from May to August.

River Amstel, Amsterdam: Excellent Pike fishing from September to December.

Afsluitdijk, near Den Oever: A great spot for Roach and Bream, best fished from May to September.

Lake Veere, Zeeland: Renowned for its Pike and Perch, best from October to March.

Lake Gooimeer, near Almere: Offers excellent Bream and Roach fishing from April to July.

Oostvaardersplassen, near Lelystad: Great for Carp fishing from May to September.

Lake Bovenwijde, near Giethoorn: Known for its Pike fishing, best from October to December.

Lake Ketelmeer, near Kampen: Offers excellent Roach and Bream fishing from April to June.

Eem River, near Amersfoort: Known for its Perch, best fished from September to November.

Heegermeer, Friesland: A hotspot for Pike fishing from October to March.

Best Times: Saltwater Fishing in the Netherlands

Waddenzee, Friesland: Excellent spot for Herring and Mackerel fishing in June and July.

North Sea, Scheveningen: A popular destination for Sea Bass fishing, best between July and November.

Zeeland Bridge, Zeeland: Known for its Sea Bass, best caught between July and September.

Oosterschelde, Zeeland: Plaice and Sole are abundant from July to September.

Westerschelde, near Vlissingen: Known for its Cod fishing, particularly during the winter months of December to February.

North Sea, IJmuiden: Fishing for Cod and Pollock is excellent from November to March.

Markermeer, North Holland: Renowned for Zander, best fished from May to October.

Marsdiep, Den Helder: Target Sea Bass and Cod in the summer months, May to September.

Grevelingenmeer, Zeeland: Excellent spot for Flounder and Dab, best from October to April.

Lauwersoog, Groningen: Renowned for its Mackerel and Pollock, best from June to August.

North Sea, Den Haag: Offers great Sea Bass fishing from July to September.

Eastern Scheldt, Zeeland: A great spot for Plaice and Dab, best fished from July to October.

Haringvliet, South Holland: Famous for its Perch, best fished in the fall months of September to November.

Hollands Diep, near Dordrecht: Known for its Bream fishing, best during the summer months from June to August.

Wadden Sea, near Texel: Excellent spot for Herring and Plaice from May to August.

Volendam, North Holland: Known for its Eel fishing, best from July to September.

Nieuwe Waterweg, Rotterdam: Cod and Plaice are abundant from October to February.

Veerse Meer, Zeeland: Good for Seabass and Eel, best during the summer months from June to September.

Maasvlakte, Rotterdam: Renowned for its Cod and Plaice, best during the winter months from December to February.

Goeree-Overflakkee, South Holland: Excellent spot for Seabass from July to October.

Noordpier, Wijk aan Zee: Known for its Cod and Whiting fishing, particularly from October to March.

Brouwersdam, South Holland: Known for its Seabass and Flounder fishing, best from July to October.

Eemshaven, Groningen: Excellent for Pollock and Cod, best fished from September to November.

Recommended Fishing Guides in the Netherlands

These Netherlands-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
UFX Fishing Guide Amsterdam	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Kayakfisher Guide Service	Wijk Bij Duurstede, Netherlands
Dusk Till Dawn Fishing Experience – Lelystad	Lelystad, Netherlands
Amsterdam Predator Fishing Guide	Amsterdam, Netherlands
Dusk Till Dawn Fishing Experience – Stavoren	Stavoren, Netherlands
Dusk Till Dawn Fishing Experience – Medemblik	Medemblik, Netherlands
EcoRecreatie River Fishing Guide	Arkel, Netherlands

I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Northern Pike

The best time to fish for pike in the Netherlands is during the spring and fall seasons, specifically from April to June and September to November. Early morning and late afternoon are the ideal times to catch pike. Some of the Netherlands’ top locations for pike fishing include the Ijsselmeer, Biesbosch National Park, and the Frisian Lakes.

Zander

The best time to fish for zander in the Netherlands is late spring and summer, particularly from May to August. Early morning and dusk are the most productive times to catch zander. Some of the top locations for zander fishing in the Netherlands include the Hollands Diep, the Waal River, the Haringvliet, and the IJssel River.

Perch

The best time to fish for perch in the Netherlands is spring and summer, specifically from April to August. Perch are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the top locations for perch fishing in the Netherlands include the Markermeer, the IJssel River, the Randmeren, and the Loosdrecht Lakes.

Common Carp

The best time to fish for common carp in the Netherlands is spring and summer, particularly from May to August. Early mornings and late evenings are the ideal time of day as carp tend to be more active during these cooler hours. Some of the best locations for fishing common carp in the Netherlands include the canals of Amsterdam, the Haringvliet Lake, and the Biesbosch National Park.

Leather Carp

The best time to fish for leather carp in the Netherlands is during the warmer months, from June to September. Early mornings and late afternoons are the optimal time of day to catch leather carp as they are more active during these periods. Some of the Netherlands’ best locations for fishing leather carp include the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal, the Haringvliet Lake, the Hollands Diep, and the Nieuwe Merwede River.

Roach

The best time to fish for roach in the Netherlands is spring and autumn, specifically from April to October. Roach are most active during the early morning and late afternoon hours. Some of the best locations for fishing roach in the Netherlands include the Biesbosch National Park, the Amsterdam canals, the Hollands Diep, and the Gouwe River.

Bream

The best time to fish for bream in the Netherlands is during the summer months, from June to August. Bream are most active during early mornings and late evenings. Some of the Netherlands’ best locations for fishing bream include the Markermeer, the Haringvliet Lake, the Hollands Diep, and the IJssel River.

Tench

The best time to fish for tench in the Netherlands is during the spring and summer months, particularly from April to September. Early morning and late evening are the ideal times of day to catch them. Some of the best locations for tench fishing in the Netherlands include the canals in Amsterdam, the lakes in Friesland, and the rivers in Utrecht.

Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic Salmon fishing in the Netherlands is best during the autumn and winter, especially from September to December. The early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to catch them. Some of the top locations for Atlantic Salmon fishing in the Netherlands include the rivers like the Rhine, Meuse, and Ems and the coastal areas near the North Sea.

Brown Trout

The best time to fish for Brown Trout in the Netherlands is during the spring and autumn, specifically from April to June and September to November. Early morning and late afternoon are the most favorable times for catching them. Some of the best locations for Brown Trout fishing in the Netherlands include the rivers like the Vecht, IJssel, and Regge, as well as the lakes in the province of Limburg.

Eels

The best time to fish for eels in the Netherlands is during the warmer months, from May to September. Nighttime and early morning are the ideal times of day for eel fishing. Some of the best locations for eel fishing in the Netherlands include the canals in Amsterdam, the rivers such as the Maas and Waal, and the Wadden Sea coastal areas.

Seabass

The best time to fish for seabass in the Netherlands is spring and summer, especially from April to August. Early morning and late evening are the prime times for catching them. Some of the top locations for seabass fishing in the Netherlands include the coastal areas of Zeeland, the Wadden Sea islands, and the Maasvlakte beach near Rotterdam.

Cod

The best time to fish for cod in the Netherlands is during the winter months, from December to February. Early morning and late afternoon are the prime times to catch them. Some of the top locations for cod fishing in the Netherlands include the North Sea, specifically the areas near the Wadden Sea islands, the Maasvlakte beach near Rotterdam, and the Zeeland coast.

Halibut

Halibut fishing in the Netherlands is best during summer, particularly from June to August. Early morning and late afternoon are the optimal times to catch them. Some of the best locations for halibut fishing in the Netherlands include the North Sea, specifically the areas near the Wadden Sea islands, the Zeeuwse Banken, and the Dogger Bank.

Mackerel

The best time to fish for mackerel in the Netherlands is during the summer months, especially from May to August. Early morning and late afternoon are the ideal times of day for catching them. Some of the best locations for mackerel fishing in the Netherlands include the coastal areas near Scheveningen, IJmuiden, and Den Helder, as well as the Wadden Sea islands.

For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Norway, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Ireland, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Denmark, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Iceland, check out this guide.

Best Fishing in The Netherlands on a Seasonal Basis

Winter

IJsselmeer – Perch: The largest lake in Western Europe, the IJsselmeer, is a good spot for catching Perch, which remain active even in winter.
Amsterdam Canals – Pike: Pike can be found in the canals of Amsterdam even in the colder months.
Rhine River – Roach: Roach are a common catch in the Rhine River during the winter season.
Lake Veluwe – Bream: Bream can be caught in Lake Veluwe during the winter months.
Rotterdam Port – Cod: During winter, Cod can be found in the port of Rotterdam.
North Sea – Flatfish: You can fish for Flatfish off the coast in the North Sea during winter.
Utrecht Canals – Zander: Zander, also known as European Pike-Perch, can be found in the canals of Utrecht during winter.
Lake Gooimeer – Rudd: Lake Gooimeer, near the city of Huizen, is a good place to catch Rudd during the winter.
Mark River – Eel: Eels can be caught in the Mark River during the winter.
Lake Markermeer – Carp: Even in the cold winter months, you might find Carp in Lake Markermeer.

Spring

IJsselmeer – Pike: Known as the largest lake in the Netherlands, the IJsselmeer is a hotspot for Pike fishing, especially in the spring when the fish are in spawning season and highly active.
Amsterdam Canals – Carp: The canals of Amsterdam provide great urban fishing spots, and spring is an excellent time to catch Carp, as they become more active with the warming water.
River Waal – Barbel: The River Waal, a major distributary of the Rhine River, is home to the Barbel fish. They can be commonly found in this river during the spring months.
North Sea – Plaice: The North Sea off the Dutch coast provides great fishing for Plaice, a type of flatfish. Spring is an excellent time to fish for Plaice as they migrate to shallower waters during this season.
Haringvliet – Zander (Pike-Perch): Haringvliet is a large body of water in the province of South Holland. Zander, a close relative of the Perch, can be found here in spring when they start to feed more frequently after winter.
Lake Veere – European Seabass: The Lake Veere, a large lagoon in Zeeland, is a popular spot to catch European Seabass, particularly in the spring when these fish are plentiful.
Zeeland Delta – Flounder: The Zeeland Delta, a significant estuary region, offers excellent Flounder fishing opportunities in the spring when they are more likely to be found in these brackish waters.
River Maas – Roach: The River Maas is a good place for Roach fishing. These fish can be found in large numbers in the spring, making it a prime time for fishing.
Markermeer – Perch: The Markermeer, a large lake in the central Netherlands, is a popular location to catch Perch, especially in the spring months when the fish are more active.
Veluwemeer – Rudd: This shallow lake located between Gelderland and Flevoland offers great fishing opportunities for Rudd. Spring is a prime time to catch these fish as they start to feed heavily after winter.

Summer

IJsselmeer – Pike-Perch (Zander): As the largest freshwater lake in the Netherlands, IJsselmeer is a popular location for fishing. In the summer, the Pike-Perch, also known as Zander, is a frequent catch here due to the warmer waters.
North Sea – Mackerel: Off the coast of the Netherlands in the North Sea, Mackerel are abundant in the summer months. .
Amsterdam Canals – Pike: The canals in Amsterdam offer great urban fishing. Pike can be commonly found here during the summer months.
River Maas – Bream: The River Maas provides excellent fishing opportunities, including Bream, which are more active and easier to catch in the warm summer months.
Haringvliet – European Catfish: Haringvliet, a large inlet of the North Sea, is home to the European Catfish. Summer is a great time to catch these large fish as they are more active in the warm waters.
Zeeland Delta – Seabass: The estuaries in the Zeeland Delta are an excellent spot for Seabass fishing during the summer months when these fish are in abundance.
River Waal – Roach: Roach are common in the River Waal and are more active during the summer months, providing plenty of opportunities for successful catches.
Veluwemeer – Carp: Veluwemeer, a shallow lake between Gelderland and Flevoland, is a popular spot for Carp fishing in the summer. Carp are active feeders in the warm summer months.
Markermeer – Perch: The Markermeer is another great location for summer fishing, with Perch being a prevalent catch. They’re most active in the warm, sunny months.
Lauwersmeer National Park – Eel: The waters of Lauwersmeer National Park are a good place to catch Eels during the summer when these elusive creatures are more active.

Fall

IJsselmeer – Perch: The IJsselmeer is the largest lake in Western Europe and a popular fishing spot in the Netherlands. Autumn is a great time to catch Perch, which are attracted to the cooler water temperatures.
Rhine River – Zander (European Walleye): The Rhine River is home to Zander, a relative of the American Walleye. In the fall, these fish are more active and easier to catch.
Markermeer – Pike: Markermeer, one of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes, is a favorite spot for anglers in the fall. Pike are particularly active during this time as they prepare for the winter months.
North Sea – Cod: Off the Dutch coast in the North Sea, Cod are plentiful in the autumn months.
Amsterdam Canals – Carp: In the canals of Amsterdam, Carp fishing is quite popular. Fall is a great time to catch these fish, as they tend to feed more heavily before the cold winter sets in.
Veluwe – Trout: The streams and lakes in the Veluwe region are teeming with Trout. These fish are especially active in the fall, making it a prime time for fishing.
Oosterschelde – European Sea Bass: The Oosterschelde, an estuary in the province of Zeeland, offers excellent European Sea Bass fishing in the fall. This is when these fish start to migrate, making them easier to catch.
Biesbosch National Park – Bream: The waterways in Biesbosch National Park are a fantastic place to catch Bream.
Waddenzee – Flatfish: In the Waddenzee, a unique intertidal zone in the northern Netherlands, Flatfish are common. Autumn is a good time to fish for these species, which include Plaice and Flounder.
Maas River – Roach: The Maas River, flowing through the southern part of the Netherlands, is a popular location for Roach fishing, especially in the fall when these fish are in abundance.