Fishing Tour with a Fishing Boat at Lake Constance (Untersee)

Fish, float, and see the lake differently. This private three-hour trip on the Untersee gives you a practical way to fish Lake Constance with a local guide, complete equipment, and a boat ready to go. I like the small private format, which keeps the outing focused on your group, and I like that Sebastian helps with local fishing rules as well as technique. The main drawback is that the price is high for three hours, especially if a second fishing license is needed.

The trip begins at Westerfeldstrasse 26 in Ermatingen, with pickup possible from Kreuzlingen by arrangement. I also like the useful mix of fishing and sightseeing: you may spend time after anchoring or drifting, but the ride also gives you a waterside view of the Untersee and nearby towns. Keep in mind that catches depend on the season, weather, and local rules, so this is not a guaranteed-fish outing.

Key points at a glance

• Three hours on the Untersee: You travel by fishing boat for about three hours, with the first five to ten minutes used to reach a fishing area.
• Private outing for your group: You do not share the boat with unrelated participants, making it easier to ask questions and set the pace.
• Sebastian guides the trip: He is praised for his local knowledge, friendly instruction, and understanding of fishing rules around the lake.
• Species change with the season: Possible catches include whitefish, perch or cretzer, and pike, depending on regulations and conditions.
• Gear and one license included: Fishing equipment, boat fuel, fees, taxes, and one fishing license are covered.
• Pickup can be arranged: Collection is possible from Kreuzlingen, while the stated meeting point is in Ermatingen.

Why this Untersee trip feels different

The Untersee is the western section of Lake Constance, and a boat gives you a view that is hard to get from shore. You are not simply casting from one fixed bank. You move out from Ermatingen, search for a suitable area, then fish from an anchored or drifting boat.

That makes the trip appealing even if you are still learning. You get the basic pleasure of being on the water, while the guide handles the practical side of finding a place to start. The first boat ride lasts around five to ten minutes, so you should not expect a long cruise before the fishing begins. The focus is fishing, not a full sightseeing circuit.

I would think of this as a local, hands-on outing rather than a polished sightseeing cruise. You get time to fish, learn about the area, and look back toward the lakeside towns. One previous outing produced a pike, while another first-time fisher finally caught fish after six months of trying independently. That tells you something useful: the guide can improve your chances, but the lake still makes the final decision.

Meeting in Ermatingen and arranging pickup

The stated start and finish point is Westerfeldstrasse 26, 8272 Ermatingen, Switzerland. The boat returns to this same meeting point at the end, which keeps the day simple and avoids arranging a separate return transfer.

Pickup is available from Kreuzlingen by arrangement. This is useful if you are staying there, but you should settle the details before the day of the trip rather than assuming a standard hotel pickup. The activity is also near public transportation, giving you another way to reach the start point.

The operating schedule runs daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, during the stated season from April 20, 2023, through December 8, 2026. Those broad hours give you room to request an early morning or later outing, but the actual start still depends on availability and arrangement.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. That timing matters if you are building a tight Lake Constance itinerary. I would avoid booking this as the last fixed piece of a short visit unless you have enough flexibility to wait for confirmation.

The first five to ten minutes on the boat

Once you meet the guide, you board the fishing boat and travel for roughly five to ten minutes to the first fishing area. This short ride is practical rather than theatrical. It gets you away from the meeting point and into a section of water where the guide can begin the day’s fishing plan.

The guide may anchor the boat or let it drift. Those two methods create different rhythms. At anchor, you can settle into one position and focus on casting or waiting. While drifting, you cover moving water and may need to pay closer attention to where the boat is going.

The choice depends on the place, season, and fishing conditions. You should not expect to choose every location yourself, since the value of a local guide is knowing where and how to begin. Sebastian is praised for knowing good fishing spots on the Untersee and for explaining local rules, which is especially useful if you have never fished in this part of Switzerland.

Fishing for whitefish, perch, or pike

The possible species change with the season and with fishing regulations. The trip may target whitefish, perch, also described as cretzer, or pike. These are different kinds of fishing, so your day can feel quite different depending on the conditions at the time of your booking.

Pike can make a memorable catch, as one outing showed, but you should not book this expecting one particular species. The guide’s job is to work within the current rules and choose a sensible approach for the day. Local regulations are not a footnote here. They help determine what you can fish for and how the outing is run.

All fishing equipment is supplied. That is a major convenience if you are visiting Switzerland and do not want to bring rods, tackle, or related gear through several stops. It also helps first-time fishers, since you do not need to arrive with your own setup or know exactly what equipment the lake requires.

The trip includes a fishing license for one person. A second person’s license is not included, so a pair planning to fish should ask about that extra cost before booking. The wording matters: the boat is private for your group, but the included license is only for one person.

What Sebastian adds to the day

A boat and fishing gear are useful, but the guide is the part that can make the price worthwhile. Sebastian is described as friendly, patient, and passionate about fishing. He also helps explain the local area, fishing spots, and rules around the Untersee.

That combination suits beginners. One first-time fisher praised him as an excellent instructor and said the outing created a strong desire to fish again. Another person had spent six months trying to catch fish independently before succeeding on this trip. You should not read that as a promise of a catch, but it does show the value of having someone correct your approach and direct your attention.

The guide also adds a sightseeing layer. During the fishing, he can tell you about the lakeside area and towns visible from the water. This is not a formal town tour, and you should not expect long stops ashore. Still, it gives the outing more substance than simply sitting in a boat and waiting for a bite.

I especially like this balance for companions with different interests. A serious angler can focus on fishing, while someone less committed to the sport still gets the boat ride and views around the Untersee. Since the activity is private, your group can likely keep its attention where it wants, within the limits of the fishing plan.

Is $255.38 per person good value?

At $255.38 per person, this is a premium short outing. You are paying for a private boat, fuel, fishing equipment, one fishing license, private transport from Kreuzlingen when arranged, and the guide’s time. All fees and taxes are included, which reduces the chance of small charges appearing later.

The price makes more sense for someone who values instruction and privacy. If you are new to fishing, bringing a child or companion who needs help, or hoping to learn the local rules, the guide may offer more value than renting equipment and guessing where to fish. The private format also means you are not sharing the experience with a larger mixed group.

The calculation is less attractive if you mainly want a scenic boat ride. Three hours is not a full-day charter, and snacks and drinks are not included. You also need to account for a second fishing license if two people plan to fish.

For a couple, family, or small group, compare the per-person rate with the total private outing cost and decide what matters most. If catching fish is your only goal, weather, season, and regulations make the result uncertain. If you value instruction, local knowledge, and an easy boat-based look at the Untersee, the cost is easier to justify.

Timing, weather, and what to bring

The activity lasts approximately three hours. The timing is long enough to settle into the boat and fish properly, but short enough to fit alongside other plans in the Ermatingen or Kreuzlingen area.

Bring your own snacks and soda or other drinks, since they are not included. The supplied information does not specify a meal service, so plan this as a self-catered outing. You should also consider the weather when choosing clothing, since you will be outside on the water rather than indoors.

This experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy is helpful, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging plans from another time zone.

Who should book this fishing trip?

This outing is a good match for first-time fishers, couples, families, and small groups who want personal help rather than a large shared tour. Most participants can take part, and the private setting makes it easier to ask basic questions without feeling rushed.

It also suits a committed angler who wants help with Untersee locations and local rules. Sebastian’s reported knowledge of the lake and fishing areas is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip instead of bringing your own equipment and working alone from shore.

You may want to skip it if you dislike waiting, need a guaranteed catch, or want a full sightseeing cruise with several shore stops. Fishing has quiet stretches, and the result depends on conditions outside the guide’s control. The boat ride is part of the pleasure, but the main purpose remains fishing.

FAQ

Where does the fishing trip start?

The stated meeting point is Westerfeldstrasse 26, 8272 Ermatingen, Switzerland.

Where does the activity finish?

The trip finishes back at the meeting point in Ermatingen.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Collection is possible from Kreuzlingen by arrangement.

How long does the experience last?

The fishing trip lasts approximately three hours.

How long is the first boat ride?

The boat travels for about five to ten minutes before reaching the first fishing area.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this private activity.

What fish might I catch?

Depending on the season and fishing rules, the target species may include whitefish, perch or cretzer, and pike.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Complete fishing equipment is provided.

Is a fishing license included?

A fishing license for one person is included. A license for a second person is not included.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Untersee fishing tour?

Book it if you want a private, practical introduction to fishing on Lake Constance and value help from a guide who knows the Untersee. The strongest reasons are the supplied gear, the private boat, the local instruction, and the chance to see the lakeside area while you fish.

Think twice if the $255.38 price feels high for three hours or if you need a guaranteed catch. For the right guest, the value is not only in the fish. It is in avoiding guesswork, learning the local rules, and getting onto the water with everything ready. Arrange pickup, confirm the second license if needed, pack snacks and drinks, and leave room in your schedule in case weather changes the plan.