Boats on the Biggesee and Listersee

The Biggesee and Listersee offer an ideal location for boaters, surrounded by vast forests, beautiful shores and inviting moorings. Experience the fascination of water sports like never before. Whether you are a passionate angler, long for romance and relaxation on the water or simply want to spend 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 permits the public use of watercraft on various reservoirs, including the Biggetalsperre, Listertalsperre, Hennetalsperre, Möhnealsperre and Sorpetalsperre. However, the use of special watercraft such as water rafts requires a permit from the Ruhrverband, which can be granted after the application has been reviewed.

Entry points
Watercraft and water sports equipment may only be launched at the designated points. The approved public entry points are marked on the recreation map. The public entry points are also noted on the information boards at the respective reservoirs.

Permitted free-of-charge vehicles
The use of watercraft such as rowing boats and canoes is free of charge on both Biggesee and Listersee. There are also no charges for using the reservoirs with sailing boats that have a sail area of less than 7 square meters and do not require additional propulsion.

Calculation of the measurement number:
Boaters can easily and quickly determine the overall size of their watercraft using the following formula:
Length overall x width overall - including all fixed attachments

Watercraft subject to charges
Recreational craft such as motorboats, sailing boats, fishing boats and catamarans between 7 m² and 20 m² in size require a boat sticker. Boats with electric motors also require an electric motor sticker or a combination sticker.

Electric motors
The following regulations apply to the use of electric motors, regardless of the size of the boat:

• A motor sticker is required.
• It is prohibited to sail on the Lister with an electric motor.
• The maximum speed is 6 km/h.
• Electric motors may have a maximum power output of 1500 W.
• As part of youth training, sailing clubs, sailing schools and rowing clubs may apply for electric motors with a higher motor input power for training sessions.
• Lead-acid batteries may only be used with a specified electrolyte. Other accumulators must be sealed watertight. Power generation using solar modules is permitted.
• The battery and solar panel must be firmly fixed in or on the boat.
• There is no limit to the number of motors and batteries carried as long as the permitted motor power per motor, the maximum voltage on board and the proper attachment of the batteries are observed.
• The motor input power must be recognizable, either by a type plate on the boat or a data sheet carried on board.

Badges
Persons who rent a boat mooring at a jetty can purchase a boat and electric motor sticker from the club board/boat rental companies. For all other users, boat and electric motor stickers are available at Ruhrverband sales outlets and online at www.angeln-im-sauerland.de.

Affixing the boat stickers
The boat and electric motor stickers should be clearly visible on the left-hand side of the bow of boats and in clearly visible, non-removable places on all other watercraft. If a watercraft is lost, taken out of service or replaced by a new one, a new sticker must be purchased. This also applies if a motor and/or boat sticker is lost.

Bans on combustion engines, toilets and water-polluting protective coatings

• Boats with combustion engines (except: Rescue services, dam operations and passenger shipping) are not permitted.
• Boats with chemical toilets or pump toilets are not permitted on the dams.
• Protective coatings (anti-fouling coatings) must comply with the requirements of the International Watersport Association of Lake Constance.
• High-pressure cleaning of watercraft in the reservoir and shore area of the dams is prohibited.

Traffic regulation
In order to ensure both the safe use of the reservoirs and the well-being of the people involved, including anglers, boaters and others, Biggesee and Listersee are subject to the provisions of Section 10 of the Public Use Regulations and, where applicable, the provisions of the Inland Waterways Regulations. In addition, the following points must be observed and complied with:

• Boaters shall behave in such a way that no one else is endangered, harmed, hindered or inconvenienced.
• At water sports events, all other boats, with the exception of shipping, must give way to participants.
• Boats of the rescue services, in case of immediate use, as well as work and control boats have right of way.
• Boaters must pay attention to and obey the signal or call of the RV staff.
• Distance must be kept from fishing boats with a red flag. Consideration must be given to these trolling boats.
  Guidelines

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

• The dams may only be used with the required boat or motor stickers affixed.
• When using an electric motor on Biggesee, a data sheet for the drive or an existing type plate is required.
• Paddles or oars must also be carried on a boat with an electric drive.
• The Listersee may only be used with a muscle-powered boat.

It is also stipulated in accordance with the Public Use Ordinance:

• A minimum distance of 50 meters must be maintained from barrier walls, dams, spillways and other hydraulic structures.
• A distance of at least 25 meters must be maintained from banks, even outside the approved mooring points.
• A distance of 10 meters must be observed at buoy chains and other marked restricted areas.
• It is not permitted to moor the boat on the shore outside the approved mooring or entry point or at a buoy.
• Mooring at landing stages and landing stages of passenger ships is not permitted.
• The dams may only be navigated 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
• Navigating the dams is not permitted if visibility is less than 100 meters and/or ice has formed.

Prices as of 08.12.2024 for 2025

Source: Ruhrverband