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Making life better by water

Rare and protected fish

Find out which rare and protected types of fish can be found in our canals and rivers.

Spined loach, copyright Jack Perks

Some species of fish are protected by law because they are rare or are vulnerable to certain activities.

Read about individual species using the links below and on the right.

Allis shad

Allis shad

The Allis shad is a member of the herring family and enters freshwater only to spawn.

Lamprey, courtesy of Jack Perks

Brook lamprey

Find out about the rare and unusual lamprey.

Bullhead, courtesy of Jack Perks

Bullhead

These small fish are only found in clean, stony waters and around the brick work at canal locks.

Crucian carp, courtesy of Jack Perks

Crucian carp

Crucian carp are very shy and tend to avoid our most popular canals.

Eel, copyright Jack Perks

Eel

Eels can live to be 100 years old.

Angling on the canals

Smelt

Smelt are a major food source for fish-eating birds and other fish such as trout and sea bass.

Spined loach, copyright Jack Perks

Spined loach

Read all about this small fish which is very difficult to catch.

Twaite shad

Twaite shad

Due to the rarity of this species, the shad is subject to substantial legal protection.

White clawed crayfish being held by person

White-clawed crayfish

The white-clawed crayfish is not technically a fish but a crustacean.

River lamprey, copyright Paul Frear, Environment Agency

River lamprey

The river lamprey is much smaller than its large relative, the sea lamprey.

Sea lamprey, copyright Paul Frear, Environment Agency

Sea lamprey

The largest of the three lamprey species in the UK.

Last Edited: 27 February 2025

photo of a location on the canals

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