More than 3200 members are fishing in our rivers, comprising 47 Salmonid areas with a river length of 439 km altogether as well as 20 Salmonid- and cyprinid areas with a water surface of almost 1672 ha, about 1100 ha being Danube areas.

Being a non-profit-making organisation it is the explicit aim of the Austrian Fishing Association, founded in 1880, to cultivate the areas under our control in a most adequate and optimal way, besides leasing and purchasing new fishing grounds, which is also established in our statutes. This aim, however, can only be reached, if our rivers are again restored to their biosphere in order to be able to „breathe“.

This means to create natural river bank structures and the possibility of fish passage through all weirs, but it also means to open back waters and mouth areas again to enable the fish to climb upstream and to protect young fish against the disturbances caused by boats and floods.

This is necessary to guarantee variety of species and a large number of fish. Big fish need variance of depth and width and adequate back waters.

Owing to the fishing pressure weighing heavily on our rivers these days we are forced to voluntary self restriction. Therefore, giant fish, pikes weighing more than 10 kg and pike perches with more than 8kg cannot be expected to be caught in fishing area every year.

However, the fact that they are being caught proves that we are on the right way in connection with our river care.

Therefore, we are trying very hard to go on leasing and buying new fishing grounds. Adequate river care, however, needs volunteers acting as attendants for order and justice or water guards supporting our managers on site.

In order to somehow meet these demands it is also necessary to determine and to observe minimum sizes, protective periods, limitation of numbers, restrictions of fishing tackle and fishing statistics.

In order to keep the fishing pressure in our areas within acceptable limits, annual season- and day licenses are only available in restricted numbers. This limitation is reflected in the quality of our fishing grounds as well as in the satisfaction of our licenses.

If you should wish to get a license from our association it is necessary to have the regional fishing license valid for the respective federal province in addition.

Our licensees are expected to make themselves familiar with the relevant fishing regulations for the respective area. In case of wishes or suggestions please contact your manager or the office (office@oefg1880.at).

We need volunteers supporting us in negotiations on laws pertaining to water and waterways, who are, however, also at our disposal in case of accidents in connection with water contamination or other mistakes based on human error. We are looking for volunteers who are connected heart and soul to their rivers and who are prepared to make every effort that fishing can be continued by you in „your“ river, also in future.

These days our rivers are exposed to various dangers, our managers cannot be omnipresent. We urgently need young people! The latter are recruited from our pool of water guards and members who are especially interested in the cultivation and care of our rivers.

Cultivation and care of our rivers has always been the aim of the 19 board members and the 135 supervising attendants of the Austrian Fishing Association, founded in 1880.

Have a nice and contemplative time at our river banks. Best luck and tight lines!

Fishing means applied conservation of nature, preserving nature in total awareness of its benefit!