Fish species and biting times

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's inland is a unique angler's paradise with over 2,000 lakes and countless rivers and canals. With this selection, there is the right spot and the right fish for every angler.

The Trebel, Tollense and Peene river intersection is known as one of the most fish-rich freshwater areas in Germany. Here near Demmin, 35 species have already been recorded. Lake Plauer See and several other large lakes have already provided holidaymakers with several ten-kilo pike. In the Narrow Luzin and Lake Tollensesee, the deep-dwelling marlins are hooked.

Top 6 fish in the lakes and rivers:
 

• Eel
• Brook trout
• Perch
• Pike
• Carp
• Pikeperch
   

Saltwater fish - Unique diversity on the coast and bay

Infinitely wide beaches, dense reed beds and quiet bays promise fishing pleasure at the highest level. And under the surface of the water, almost everything that has a size can be found. On the Baltic Sea, the fishing year begins when the water is free of ice - in February with the stalking of sea trout. From March, the herring come to the shore in huge flocks to spawn. Even inexperienced anglers pull them out of the cold waters by the dozen. This is also the peak season for salmon trolling. In April, the fishing competition for garfish begins on the beaches and seabreams and piers. Flatfish are sought-after prey in May. The two-month pike conservation period in the Bodden waters ends in May - the hunting season for the really big fish is then open.

• Dorsch
  
  Note:
  From January 1, 2024, a fishing ban on cod was introduced in the Baltic Sea, which calls on anglers to no longer catch this species. This decision was taken by the EU fisheries ministers at their meeting in Luxembourg on October 24, 2023, in order to protect and support stocks that have declined significantly. As soon as this fishing ban is lifted again, we will inform you here.
• Hornfish
  
  Shortly after the herring - when the rapeseed is a rich yellow - the elongated garfish with their greenish tones cavort in the coastal areas of the Baltic Sea. For generations, the people of Mecklenburg have been awaiting the silver fish in their thousands in spring (May and June) with their grassy green tails – knowing that they can enjoy a crispy fried or golden smoked garfish. Catching these delicious garfish is child's play with a spinning rod, fly rod or float rig.

  The chances of catching garfish are also good when fishing from a cutter. A few hundred meters from the shore, the silver arrows cavort in droves in late spring, so that dozens of garfish can be pulled out of the water in no time at all. Throughout the year, the odd garfish also ends up in anglers' catch baskets as by-catch.

• Hering
  
  The silver gold of the Baltic Sea comes to the shores in March to spawn. However, smaller shoals can also be found in the Baltic Sea throughout the year.
  
  The start of the herring season in March is like a folk festival in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. In many places, anglers take to the seabreaks, piers and quaysides to go after the silver gold of the Baltic Sea. Thousands of fish come to the shore to spawn until May. The herring are then also easy to catch from the cutter. However, herring can also be found in smaller schools in the Baltic Sea all year round. A glance at the echo sounder usually tells the captain the exact location to align the boat over the shoal.
  
  Although targeted trips for herring are the exception rather than the rule, anglers should always have one or two herring paternosters to hand. If the cutter encounters a shoal, it is imperative to quickly rearrange the rig in order to return to port at the end of the trip with a full catch. The herring can then be used in a variety of ways as rollmops, fried or smoked.
   
• Mackerel
  
  Like herring and garfish, mackerel can be found in large schools and can be fished from a cutter using special mackerel paternosters. It is not only one of the most popular edible fish in Germany, but also impresses with its unusual appearance.
  
  Mackerel are easily recognizable by their torpedo-shaped body and blue-green mackerel pattern. Like herring and garfish, mackerel come together in large schools, which makes fishing particularly interesting. This means that 20 or more fish can be caught in the same spot in no time at all.
  
  Fishing from a cutter promises the greatest success when pursuing the big cat among sea fish. Although mackerel are only occasionally found in the Baltic Sea after intensive commercial fishing, there has been an increase in catch reports in recent years. If the cutter crosses a shoal of mackerel, this promises to be a successful fishing day for the anglers on board. Circling mackerel in particular reveal possible locations to the captains where targeted fishing for mackerel is worthwhile.
   
• Flatfish
  
  Plaice, flounder and dab are an ideal alternative to cod – anglers can lure the tasty flatfish out of their hiding places with natural baits.
  
  It doesn't always have to be cod. The „flatfish“ can also be fished for well from a cutter. Especially when the cod is not in the mood, plaice, flounder and dab are ideal alternatives. They are usually found on the sandy seabed, where they lie in wait for their prey. Anglers can lure the fish out of their hiding places with natural baits such as lugworms, herring sticks or whole tobias fish.
  
  Flatfish can reach astonishing sizes and are very popular as a food fish thanks to their excellent taste. The next trip with the cutter should therefore not be without the natural fish assembly.
   
• Whiting
  
  The small relatives of the cod can be found in deeper waters of the Baltic Sea and are therefore ideal for fishing from a cutter from late summer to fall.
  The fishing season for the small relative of the cod begins in late summer and ends in the fall months. Whiting can usually only be fished for from a boat, as they prefer greater water depths of 20 meters and more. The first bite is usually followed by more, because unlike cod, whiting do not travel in small groups, but in whole swaths. If the cutter catches such a shoal, it is definitely worth changing the rig. It is also often caught as by-catch when hunting cod. The very low-fat meat makes whiting very popular as a food fish.
   

An overview of minimum sizes and closed seasons for fish species in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern can be found online at the LALLF.