Boat fishing: Kampen – a fishing ground for trailerable fishing boats

To the south of the town, the IJssel still displays its true river character: currents, edges, shorelines, groynes, harbour areas and crossings that can be read. Anyone fishing from a boat here works with the water – not against it. You can tell where the current is strong, where it slows down, and where predators might be waiting for food.

Yet the closer you get to Kampen, the more the landscape changes. The IJssel becomes wider, calmer and more open. Step by step, the river gives way to a network of waterways. Beyond Kampen, the river opens out into the Ketelmeer, marking the start of a whole new dimension of sailing: more space, more wind, a wider horizon, and greater responsibility at the helm. The Ketelmeer is the link between the river and the open sea – a distinct transition.

Kampen is suitable for trailer boats

It is precisely this development that makes Kampen such an exciting destination for trailerable fishing boats. The day can begin on a small scale on the IJssel, along the harbour quays, at river bends or where the current changes. But it can just as easily move into more open waters, out into the Ketelmeer and further towards the Randmeeren. There, a distinct character emerges: plenty of open water, yet still with structure; vast expanses, but not without points of reference. For pike, zander and perch anglers, this system offers a wide range of possibilities – depending on the weather, the boat, your experience and your plans for the day.

See also:

• ​Boat fishing: Lake Plau – what you, as an angler, should know about the area
• Further articles on You can find information on boat fishing here.

The view further out. The promise lies in the view outwards: via the Ketelmeer and the peripheral lakes, the route to the IJsselmeer remains open. Not every trip has to lead there. But the mere possibility changes the character of the sailing area. Kampen doesn’t feel like an end in itself. It is a starting point: from the river’s course to vast expanses of water.

The town also serves as an excellent base. For day trips, there are plenty of boat launching points in the region. Anyone wishing to stay for several days will find EuroParcs Kampen De IJssel Eilanden a suitable base right by the water. Accommodation, proximity to the water and short distances mean this area is more than just a day trip. You can get to grips with it, make the most of weather windows, compare different areas and really get to know the water.

Kampen thus depicts a sense of movement that one experiences whilst driving and fishing: from the clearly visible IJssel, across the open Ketelmeer, over the vastness of the peripheral lakes and on towards the IJsselmeer. It is not a place where the water ends. It is the place where it becomes vast.

​Kampen in a nutshell

Local character

Rivers, transitional waters, the marginal sea system and the open sea perspective, all within a single fishing district.

Territorial logic

The IJssel from Zwolle to Kampen – opening onto the Ketelmeer – extension via the peripheral lakes – view towards the IJsselmeer.

Basic

For day trips: places to go for a swim in the region. For stays of several days: EuroParcs De IJssel Eilanden Kampen.

Strength of the district

Kampen combines the clearly discernible character of a river with the expanse of an open water system.

Ideal for

Anglers with a trailerable boat who are looking for variety, a wide range of fishing grounds and the chance to really explore a fishing area on a trip.