Specialist broker for agricultural, forestry and equestrian real estate

Greif & Meyer in an Immowelt interview

Lease or buy a fish pond: Rights, obligations and costs

Many anglers would like to have their own fishing pond. Others have bigger plans and want to set up their own fishing business. For those who find buying their own fishing water too expensive, leasing water is an alternative. However, both steps should be carefully considered, as buying or leasing also involves a number of conservation and maintenance obligations.

Whether for commercial or private use, finding a suitable fishing water in a particular region is not easy due to the limited supply. Depending on the objective that buyers or leaseholders are pursuing with a body of water, they should take a good look at what is on offer. If a body of water is to be profitable, fishing in it must be possible and permitted.

Fishing is not permitted, for example, in young open-cast mining lakes, waters with poor water quality or in total reserves of nature reserves and national parks. "In contrast to man-made bodies of water, natural bodies of water in particular always have restrictions of some kind," explains the real estate professional. For example, it is quite common for nature conservation regulations to prohibit access to the shore areas, Eßer continues.

There may also be restrictions on the boats from which fishing is allowed, so that fishing may only be permitted in a rowing boat, but not in a boat with an electric or combustion engine.

Unclear ownership structures or intensive tourism can also put a spanner in the works for fishing. It is therefore advisable to consult special estate agents who are familiar with fishing properties and land.

(...)

Complete report

More articles & news