Fishing in De Biesbosch

De Biesbosch sits on the border between North Brabant and South Holland, where the rivers Amer, Nieuwe Merwede, and Bergsche Maas push into Europe's largest freshwater tidal area.

The tidal difference here runs between 70 and 80 centimeters — not salt water, but fresh, which shapes everything about the fish, the vegetation, and how you read the water.

What you're fishing is a maze of creeks, channels, reed lines, willow flood forests, and shallow weed beds, all of it moving with the tide. The Amer and Nieuwe Merwede form the broad outer edges of the system and carry the main river flow.

The Hollandsch Diep lies to the north, wide and exposed. These larger waters fish differently from the interior — more open, more affected by wind, and harder to work effectively without a boat. The Donge feeds in from the south.

Inside the park, narrower waters like the Gat van Lijnoorden and Keesjes Killeke are the kind of creeks where pike hold along weed edges and overhanging trees. A boat is a real advantage here; much of the interior is only properly accessible from the water.

Pike is the species the Biesbosch is best known for among lure anglers. The shallow, relatively clear water with dense vegetation suits them well, and the sheltered creek network stays fishable when wind shuts down the open water.

Summer and autumn, fish are active in weed beds around a meter deep. Winter and early spring, they spread out and require more searching. Zander, perch, bream, asp, wels catfish, and river carp are also present. Fly fishing has a season from mid-August.

Carp fishing picks up from the end of April. A VISpas issued by Sportvisserij Nederland is mandatory to fish the park waters — pick one up at an angling shop or via vispas. nl before you go.

A large part of the Biesbosch waters is leased to Sportvisserij Nederland, which handles oversight and publishes the rules and a current map of permitted fishing locations. Check their site for what applies to the specific water you plan to fish.

The Biesbosch has been worked by fishermen for centuries. The tides still run it, the beavers have been back since 1988, and the water does what it wants. Come with a boat if you can, and give yourself time to move around.