2. …
  3. Caring for our fish

Freshwater fish species

Our canals and rivers hold a great variety of fish. But do you know which are native? Which are protected? And which are actually classed as invasive species?

The more you know about a fish, the more fun you can have fishing. Our fisheries and angling manager, Carl Nicholls, has put together this helpful guide to the most common types of fish found in our canals and rivers. He even includes hints and tips on the best ways to catch them too.

Remember to buy your rod licence and your Waterway Wanderers permit before you go fishing.

Meet our favourite native fish

Pike, courtesy of Jack Perks

Pike

One of the world's finest predators
Carp, courtesy of Jack Perks

Carp

Easy to catch and an impressive size
Roach

Roach

The unsung hero of our canals

Some of the rarest fish in our waterways

Eel, copyright Jack Perks

Eel

Are they really slippery customers?
Bullhead, courtesy of Jack Perks

Bullhead

Why do they like the brickwork in our locks?
Crucian carp, courtesy of Jack Perks

Crucian carp

A shy and retiring little fish

A few unwelcome invaders

Zander, courtesy of Jack Perks

Zander

One of the top predators in the water

Catfish

The largest freshwater fish in the UK

Grass carp, courtesy of Jack Perks

Grass carp

Just like common carp, they can grow quite large

Bullhead, courtesy of Jack Perks

Other rare and protected fish

Find out which rare and protected types of fish can be found in our canals and rivers.
Bitterling, courtesy of Jack Perks

More invasive and non-native fish

Our rivers, canals, lakes and ponds are under attack!

Weil's advice

Leptospirosis, or Weil's disease, is rare but worth being aware of. Here's some advice for anglers

Note: All references to record-breaking size fish are taken from the British Record Fish Committee January 2015.

Our fish species guide has been brought to life thanks to wonderful images from Jack Perks Photography.

Tench, courtesy of Jack Perks Tench, courtesy of Jack Perks

Last date edited: 4 February 2022