Above water, you wouldn’t notice a thing. But did you know that the depths are teeming with fish? They’re just like people. Some fish swear by the countryside, whilst others feel right at home in the city. They love swimming past the warehouses, houseboats and the Groninger Museum . During a spot of urban fishing, you’ll meet these ‘swimming city dwellers’.
Urban fishing: watch the video
From the water, you see the city from a completely different perspective. And with a fishing rod in your hand, it gets even better, because that’s when you really get to know Groningen’s vibrant underwater life. Watch the video for a sneak preview.
Be sure to seek out a little bridge
Would you like to come face to face with an urban predatory fish? Then be sure to head for a bridge. Pike, zander and perch love the shade and can therefore often be found under bridges. The many bridges make Groningen a very suitable city for fishing. In the city, you can fish not only from a boat but, of course, also simply from the bank.
Predatory fish, whitefish and exotic species!
If you’re a predator angler, you can expect to catch perch, zander and pike in the city’s waters. “These days we’re really keen on fishing for predatory fish, but there are also plenty of whitefish here, including bream and roach. On Sundays, you sometimes see old men walking through the city with dough squirters and fishing rods. Looking for a good fishing spot. I think that’s a lovely sight!’ says angler Jan Willem. “Recently, asp have also been caught from time to time, right in the city centre. That’s a species of fish native to the Danube in southern Germany. That makes Groningen an even more interesting fishing spot, with such an exotic species thrown in.”
Don’t forget your VISpas
As well as the diverse range of fish on offer in the city, Groningen, as a fishing town, has even more to offer. If you need something quickly for fishing, there are various specialist shops you can visit, such as Hengelsport Groningen run by Titus Blom on Astraat. Here, for example, you can get a VISpas. Titus: “To go fishing in the Netherlands, you must hold a VISpas. You can register on the spot, and once you’ve paid, you can use your VISpas straight away. It’s valid for a full calendar year. You can also order the VISpas online. A VISpas costs around 40 euros. It allows you to fish for a whole year. If you’re only here for a weekend, you can also buy a day pass from me for a day’s fishing. That costs 7.50.”
Check out the fishing guide
Excited about fishing in the city of Groningen, but don't know where to start? Then check out the sport fishing guide Groningen (Visgids), full of tips and good fishing spots. You can order it at vissen.nl.
With thanks to Sportfishing Groningen Drenthe.
