The fish population and recreational fishery in eight oxbow lakes of the river Scheldt is investigated. The fish population is sampled by sein-net fishery, electro fishery and bow-nets. The current use and possibilities for integration of recreational fishery is investigated by a questionnaire. The oxbow lakes are being described on their morphology, water quality, vegetation and fish population. The fish population is described by the species composition, biomass, growth, age and condition. The bottlenecks in development, the current and future management are described. For each oxbow lake a target situation is determined. A vision for structuring the environment and fitting in recreational fishery is developed and propositions for monitoring are proposes.