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.
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.
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.
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
