Everything about the Fishing Festival Wels
The Fishing Festival is Austria's largest fishing fair, all about angling and fly fishing. It takes place at the Wels Exhibition Centre. Hotel Ploberger is just a few minutes' walk away – with underground garage, breakfast and quiet rooms in the centre.
Hotel, tickets, parking and accommodation
What is the Fishing Festival?
The Fishing Festival is Austria's largest fishing fair, devoted to the fascination of angling and fly fishing –
and for years the number one meeting place for anglers and fly fishers in the country.
Under the roof of the Wels Exhibition Centre, numerous exhibitors present their products, services and the latest trends for the coming fishing season.
All areas of angling are represented – from predator fishing through carp fishing and sea fishing to fly fishing.
The range extends from
rods, reels, lures, boilies and feed through fishing clothing, boats and accessories to fishing trips, aquaristics and everything to do with fish farming and fish stocking.
This makes the Fishing Festival appeal to beginners, hobby anglers and professionals alike.
What can I expect at the Fishing Festival?
A remarkable feature is the supporting programme, unique in Austria: at the Flyfishing Pool and the large demonstration pool, international top experts show casting techniques and lure presentation – to watch and learn from.
The programme is complemented by workshops, expert talks and a marketplace with exclusive fair offers from numerous exhibitors.
A special feature is the concept "3 fairs, 1 ticket": the Bike Festival Austria and the Bogensportmesse (archery fair) take place at the same time, so visitors experience three outdoor fairs with a single ticket. For many, this is a reason to spend a weekend in Wels – programme during the day, a relaxed evening in the old town and a short, convenient trip to the exhibition grounds. Visitors from Bavaria, Germany, Lower Austria and Styria in particular like to combine the visit with a stay in the centre of Wels.
What's on at the Fishing Festival?
A key part of the experience is the varied programme all about angling.
Live demos at the demonstration pool, casting displays for fly fishers and tackle and lure tests invite you to try things out, while expert talks by well-known figures of the angling world convey valuable knowledge.
There are also topics such as water ecology, sustainable angling and inspiration for fishing trips to other countries and waters – a programme for beginners and experts alike.
Opening hours of the Fishing Festival
The Fishing Festival runs over several days at the Wels Exhibition Centre.
The exact dates and daily opening hours of the current edition are published by the organiser on the official website.
As the Bike Festival Austria and the Bogensportmesse (archery fair) are also in the hall alongside the Fishing Festival, allow plenty of time for a complete tour. Anyone travelling from further away is best advised to plan a stay with an overnight and to stay centrally, so the journeys to the fair remain short.
Tickets and admission
Tickets for the Fishing Festival are usually available through online advance sales and at the box office.
With the concept "3 fairs, 1 ticket", admission to the Bike Festival Austria and the Bogensportmesse is usually included.
The current admission prices and reduced categories are published by the organiser on the official website. If you want to avoid the queues at the box office, buy in advance and arrive early.
Getting to the Fishing Festival
By car
Wels lies directly on the A1 Western Motorway and is easy to reach from Vienna, Salzburg, Linz and Munich.
By train
Wels station is one of Austria's most important railway hubs.
From there, visitors reach the city centre and the event areas within a few minutes.
By plane
Linz Airport is around 20 minutes from Wels and offers good connections for international guests.
Parking at the Wels Exhibition Centre
Visitors benefit from numerous parking options in Wels.
Underground garage at Hotel Ploberger
Guests staying at Hotel Ploberger enjoy a particular advantage:
The public underground garage at Kaiser-Josef-Platz connects directly to the hotel.
The car can stay there while you travel to the fair comfortably on foot or by the public transport that runs from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the exhibition grounds.
Exhibition car parks
During the Fishing Festival, exhibition car parks are available around the grounds.
For an event of this scale, an early arrival or the use of public transport is recommended, as traffic volumes are high.
City-centre location
Thanks to the hotel's central location, many routes can be covered comfortably on foot.
The Fishing Festival with your dog
Some visitors would like to bring their dog.
At the Fishing Festival, dogs are permitted with a muzzle and on a lead.
As the event is well attended, extra consideration is needed when handling your dog. The organiser's current rules on leads and admission should be checked briefly on the official website before your visit.
If you travel with a dog, you are in good hands at Hotel Ploberger: dogs are warmly welcome there at any time.
This makes it easy to combine your fair visit with a relaxed stay in the centre of Wels – with short distances and green spaces nearby for the daily walks.
The Fishing Festival with children
The Fishing Festival is an experience for the whole family.
The live demos at the demonstration pool, the colourful range of attractions and the closeness to the world of water give children plenty to discover – a lovely introduction to the fascination of angling.
The spacious exhibition grounds leave plenty of room for a relaxed tour with the whole family.
For your stay in Wels, the central location of Hotel Ploberger is an advantage: short distances, no long drives and a quiet retreat after an eventful day at the fair.
Where to stay during the Fishing Festival?
Especially over a fair weekend, the choice of accommodation makes the difference.
A central location in the Wels old town brings several advantages:
- short distances between hotel,
- fair and city centre,
- restaurants and cafés within walking distance for the evening,
- no daily search for parking at the grounds and
- a relaxed wind-down after a long fair day.
Anyone who doesn't want to drive back from an industrial estate in the evening, but is right in the city instead, gains noticeably in rest –
and arrives refreshed on the next fair day. After an intensive day at the Fishing Festival, the breakfast at Hotel Ploberger is a relaxed start the next morning before heading back to the fair.
Hotel Ploberger – 8 minutes' walk to the Fishing Festival
Hotel Ploberger is only around 650 metres from the event areas.
Most areas of the Wels Exhibition Centre can be reached in about 8 minutes on foot.
If you prefer public transport, there is a bus connection running directly from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the fair.
As a family-run house in its fourth generation, the hotel is a place where anglers, families and trade visitors recover after an intensive day at the fair. The quiet, air-conditioned rooms sit in the middle of the city yet sheltered from the bustle. The sauna and fitness area invites you to recharge after a long day, and the generous breakfast buffet with regional products can be enjoyed in the garden on request. Wels also lies right on the Traun – a region whose rivers and lakes are appealing to anglers beyond the fair, too.
Your advantages at a glance:- quiet, air-conditioned rooms in the heart of Wels
- generous breakfast buffet with regional products – in the garden on request
- sauna and fitness area for recovery
- public underground garage with direct lift access to the hotel
- 24-hour access to the hotel
- free Wi-Fi throughout the house
- restaurants, cafés and the Wels old town right outside the door
After a day among rods, demonstration pool and expert talks, guests enjoy the calm of the house while still reaching everything important on foot.
For business travellers who visit Wels regularly, Hotel Ploberger – for example as a seminar hotel in Wels – is also a familiar address.
What are FAQs about the Fishing Festival in Wels?
What is the Fishing Festival?
The Fishing Festival is Austria's largest fishing fair, all about angling and fly fishing. It takes place at the Wels Exhibition Centre and covers predator, carp, sea and fly fishing.
When does the Fishing Festival take place?
The fair is held every year in winter over several days. The current dates are published by the organiser on the official website.
Where does the Fishing Festival take place?
At the Wels Exhibition Centre in Upper Austria.
What does "3 fairs, 1 ticket" mean?
The Bike Festival Austria and the Bogensportmesse (archery fair) take place at the same time as the Fishing Festival. With one ticket, you can usually experience all three outdoor fairs.
How much is admission?
The current admission prices and reduced categories are published by the organiser on the official website. Tickets are available in advance and at the box office.
What is the Flyfishing Pool?
The Flyfishing Pool is a demonstration pool where international experts show casting techniques for fly fishers – to watch and learn from.
What areas does the fair cover?
Predator fishing, carp fishing, sea fishing and fly fishing – including rods, reels, lures, boats, fishing trips and aquaristics.
How far is Hotel Ploberger from the exhibition centre?
Just a few minutes' walk. Alternatively, public transport runs directly from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the exhibition grounds.
Is parking available?
Yes. The public underground garage at Kaiser-Josef-Platz, with lift access to the hotel, is right by the hotel. The exhibition car parks are also available at the grounds.
Can I arrive by train?
Yes. Wels station is an important hub; during the fair there are direct public transport connections to the exhibition grounds.
Which hotels are near the Wels Exhibition Centre?
Hotel Ploberger is centrally located in the Wels old town, just a few minutes' walk from the exhibition grounds, which makes it particularly well placed for fair visitors.
Which restaurants are nearby?
Hotel Ploberger is in the middle of the Wels old town – restaurants, cafés and bars are within a few minutes' walk.
Can I bring my dog?
At the Fishing Festival, dogs are permitted with a muzzle and on a lead; the organiser's rules apply. At Hotel Ploberger, dogs are welcome at any time.
Is the Fishing Festival suitable for children?
Yes. With live demos at the demonstration pool and a colourful range of attractions, the Fishing Festival is an experience for the whole family.
Is the Fishing Festival accessible?
The grounds of the Wels Exhibition Centre are designed with accessibility in mind. Current information is published by the organiser on the official website.
Is it suitable for a multi-day visit?
Yes. With the concept "3 fairs, 1 ticket" and the extensive supporting programme, a stay of several days leaves enough time to experience all areas at leisure.
Are there charging points for electric cars?
Charging options are available at Hotel Ploberger. It is best to ask the hotel directly for details.