Guide · Lake Thun & Lake Brienz
Fishing near Interlaken
What you need before you cast a line on either lake: the permit, where you may fish, and which local guides take visitors out by boat.
1 · The permit
Visitors do not need to live in the Canton of Bern to fish here. A cantonal permit is bought online, through the Fischen Bern app or at an authorised sales office, and takes a few minutes.
CHF 32adult day permit, Canton of Bern
- Other ages and categories are charged at their own rates.
- Buy before you fish, not on the water.
- Carry it with you: checks do happen on both lakes.
Checked 28 September 2026. Prices and rules change — confirm on the cantonal site before buying.
2 · From the shore, or from a boat
The two are treated very differently by the canton. This is the point most visitors get wrong.
A permit-free option exists
Both lakes allow limited shore fishing without a permit, under strict conditions.
- One rod only
- A single barbless hook
- Permitted shoreline only
A permit is always required
The permit-free exemption does not extend to fishing from any boat, yours or a guide's.
- Permit for every person fishing
- Guides usually handle the paperwork with you
- Protected zones apply offshore too
Whichever you choose, closed seasons, minimum sizes, catch limits, protected areas and fish-handling rules apply. They are not suggestions: fines are real and the wardens are thorough.
3 · Local guides who take visitors
Two specialists work these lakes regularly. Each covers a different lake and a different style of fishing.
Fischerkurse Bern
Kilian Schenk and his team run private boat courses, including trolling for pike and lake trout.
Upstream Flyfishing
Pascal Zeller, based near Interlaken, specialises in fly-fishing and runs a boat for pike.
Five things to ask before you book a guide
- Which technique suits my experience? Pike on the fly usually needs previous casting practice.
- Is equipment included, or do I bring my own?
- Who arranges the permits, and is the cost included?
- How many people can actually fish at once from the boat?
- How long is the outing, and what happens if the weather turns?
These are independent providers, listed because guests ask. There is no partnership or commission between them and Boat Tour Interlaken, and we cannot confirm their availability or conditions on their behalf.
4 · A private fishing outing with Captain Chris
The idea: a small group aboard the BTI boat, Captain Chris at the helm, a specialist guide looking after the fishing. Two jobs, two people, each doing what they do well.
Under assessment · no launch date
Tell Chris you would come
Format, equipment, permits and price are still being worked out. The number of people who register interest is what decides whether this happens at all.
- Which lake interests you, Thun or Brienz
- Roughly when you would travel
- How many guests, and your fishing experience
This is an enquiry about a service that does not exist yet, not a reservation, and it commits you to nothing.
5 · Questions guests ask
Can I book a fishing trip with BTI now?
Can somebody buy the permit for me?
Am I guaranteed to catch something?
What can I do on the lake instead?
Is fishing allowed from your boat during a charter?
While you wait for the fishing
The lake is worth seeing from the water whatever you came for. Sunsets, castles, a swim stop, and the Alps all around.
