Visserijmuseum Woudrichem
Small museum in the historic arsenal of Woudrichem on river fishing, salmon fishing and old crafts; currently being transformed into "Museum De Rivier."
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Woudrichem has held fishing rights since 1362, and for centuries its residents lived from fishing on the Maas and Waal, above all from salmon fishing. In the 20th century, dams such as the Haringvliet dam, pollution and overfishing largely ended river fishing. A group of volunteers around the fisherman and ferryman Janus Baks began to collect equipment, models and documents. From this grew the Visserij- en Cultuurhistorisch Museum, the only museum in the Netherlands devoted entirely to river fishing.
It is housed in the former arsenal of the Woudrichem fortress, a military building whose history goes back to around 1700 and which was acquired and restored by the Bond Heemschut in 1971. Displays have included nets, fish traps and fishing gear, a salmon schouw (fishing boat), a rope-making workshop, the tanning of sails and nets with tannin, a forge from 1920 whose machines are all driven by a single electric motor, and a carpentry workshop.
Since early 2026 the collection, which grew over fifty years, has been reduced to a core stock ("ontzamelen") because the house wants to restart as Museum De Rivier. There, alongside fishing, the life of the fortress, old crafts and current topics such as biodiversity and drinkable rivers are to be addressed. A decision on the restart is due in autumn 2026.
Highlights
- Only Dutch museum devoted to river fishing
- Salmon schouw, nets and fish traps
- Rope-making workshop, forge from 1920 and carpentry workshop
- Historic arsenal of the Woudrichem fortress
- Operated by
- Stichting Visserij- en Cultuurhistorisch Museum Woudrichem
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €2.50Youth aged 4 to 12: €2.50. |
| Groups (10+ people) | €4.50 per personGroups of 10 or more, price per person. |
| Guided tour (up to 10 people) | €15Plus admission |
| Photo report | €25Admission for 2 people and one photographer |
Prices for the 2026 season.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum is on the top floor (attic) of the arsenal in the Woudrichem fortress, Kerkstraat 41.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups of up to 10 people. Educational programs (including "Jet & Jan" for group 5 and "Museumschatjes" for groups 5 to 8), as well as workshops and demonstrations of old crafts during events. |
