Boating on Biggesee and Listersee

 The Biggesee and Listersee offer an ideal location for boaters, surrounded by vast forests, stunning shores, and inviting moorings. Experience the fascination of water sports like never before. Whether you're a passionate angler, craving romance and relaxation on the water, or simply looking to have an exciting time with friends and family – the lakes offer the perfect boating experience for everyone.

The use of the lakes is regulated by the Ruhrverband, which allows the common use of watercraft on various reservoirs, including the Bigge Reservoir, List Reservoir, Henne Reservoir, Möhne Reservoir, and Sorpe Reservoir. However, special watercraft such as water rafts require approval from the Ruhrverband, which can be granted after application review.

Entry Points
Watercraft and water sports equipment may only be launched at designated locations. The authorized public entry points are marked on the leisure map. Likewise, the public entry points are indicated on the information boards at the respective reservoirs.

Approved Free-of-charge Vehicles
Both on the Biggesee and Listersee, the use of watercraft such as rowing and paddling boats is free of charge. There are also no fees for navigating the reservoirs with sailboats with a sail area of less than 7 square meters and without additional propulsion.

Calculation of the Measurement Number
Boaters can easily determine the total size of their watercraft using the following formula: Length overall x Width overall – including all fixed attachments

Chargeable Watercraft
Sports boats such as motorboats, sailboats, fishing boats, and catamarans ranging from 7 m² to 20 m² require a boat plaque. Boats with electric motors additionally require an electric motor plaque or a combination plaque.

Electric Motors
For the use of electric motors, regardless of the boat's size, the following regulations apply:

• A motor plaque is required.
• Using an electric motor on the Listersee is prohibited.
• The maximum speed is 6 km/h.
• Electric motors may have a maximum motor power of 1500 W.
• Segelvereine, sailing schools, and rowing clubs may apply for higher-powered electric motors for training sessions as part of youth education.
• Lead-acid batteries must only be used with fixed electrolyte. Other accumulators must be waterproof sealed. Power generation through solar modules is allowed.
• The battery and solar module must be securely attached to or on the boat.
• There is no limit to the number of carried motors and batteries as long as the permissible motor power per motor, the maximum voltage on board, and the proper attachment of the batteries are adhered to.
• The motor input power must be identifiable, either through a nameplate on the boat or a datasheet carried onboard.

Plaques
Individuals renting a boat mooring at a jetty can purchase boat and electric motor plaques through club boards/boat rental companies. For all other users, boat and electric motor plaques are available at Ruhrverband sales outlets and online at www.angeln-im-sauerland.de.

Attachment of Boat Plaques
The boat and electric motor plaques should be prominently displayed on the left side of the bow of boats and on highly visible, non-removable locations on all other watercraft. If a watercraft is lost, decommissioned, or replaced by a new one, a new plaque must be purchased. This also applies in the event of loss of a motor and/or boat plaque.

Prohibitions for Combustion Engines, Toilets, and Antifouling Coatings

• Boats with combustion engines (except for emergency services, reservoir operations, and passenger shipping) are not allowed.
• Boats with chemical toilets or pump toilets are not permitted on the reservoirs.
• Antifouling coatings must comply with the requirements of the International Watersports Community Lake Constance e.V.
• High-pressure cleaning of watercraft in the storage area and shore area of the reservoirs is prohibited.

Traffic Regulation
To ensure the safe use of the reservoirs and the well-being of involved parties, including anglers, boaters, and others, the Biggesee and Listersee are subject to the regulations of § 10 of the Common Use Ordinance and, where applicable, the provisions of the Inland Waterway Traffic Regulations. Additionally, the following points must be observed and adhered to:

• Vehicle operators must behave in a manner that does not endanger, damage, obstruct, or harass others.
• At water sports events, all other boats, except for shipping, must yield to participants.
• Rescue service boats, in immediate use, as well as work and inspection boats, have the right of way.
• Boat operators must heed and comply with the signals or calls from RV staff.
• A distance must be maintained from angling boats with a red flag. Consideration must be given to these trawling boats.

Guidelines

The following guidelines must be observed when navigating the Biggesee and Listersee:

• Navigation of the reservoirs is only possible with the required, affixed boat or motor plaques.
• When navigating the Biggesee with an electric motor, a datasheet of the drive or existing nameplate is required.
• Paddles or oars must be additionally carried in a boat with an electric drive.
• The Listersee may only be navigated with a manually operated boat.

Furthermore, according to the Common Use Regulation

• A minimum distance of 50 meters must be maintained from spillways, dam structures, flood relief systems, and other hydraulic structures.
• A distance of at least 25 meters must be observed from shores, even outside the designated mooring areas.
• A distance of 10 meters must be respected from buoy chains and other marked exclusion zones.
• Mooring the boat on the shores outside the designated mooring or entry points, as well as to a buoy, is not allowed.
• Landing at quays and landing stages of passenger ships is not permitted.
• The reservoirs may only be navigated from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
• Navigation of the reservoirs is not allowed in case of visibility below 100 meters and/or ice formation.

Prices as of November 20, 2023, for 2024.