Rudd

A fish that favours ponds, small lakes, canals and slow-flowing rivers, the rudd has a distinctive upturned mouth that allows it to take insects from the water’s surface.

A coppery-coloured fish with orange fins and an orange eye.

Rudd facts

Scientific name	Scardinius erythrophthalmus
Family	Cyprinidae
Diet	Insects, snails, plants and fish eggs
Predators	Pike, zander and fish-eating birds
Size	30cm
Weight	1lb
Record weight	4lb 10oz
Lifespan	8-14 years

Rudd and our canals

Rudd are found in most of our canals and rivers. They love clear waters that are rich in vegetation.

The rudd is very similar to the roach, and like the roach, they’re prey for plenty of species that call our canals home. Smaller rudd are often taken by perch and kingfishers, while larger rudd are preyed upon by pike and otters.

How to identify a rudd

Its shiny golden scales and blood-red fins can make it difficult to tell apart from the roach.

The rudd has yellow eyes and an upturned mouth for feeding on insects at the surface of the water. Their pelvic fins are in front of the dorsal fin.

Lifecycle of a rudd

Growth is slow, and rudd mature at two or three years. Spawning takes place between May and June. Females deposit eggs on plants, which hatch in 3-10 days – depending on water temperatures. Rudd are known for spawning with other fish, notably hybridising with bream, roach and bleak.

Where to find rudd

Rudd are present in most waterways but are rarely a common species. They’re particularly prevalent in canals in the south of England, like the Kennet & Avon. The Grantham Canal also holds a strong rudd population.

How to catch a rudd

The canals in the south of England such as the Kennet & Avon produce specimen size fish.

Carl Nicholls, fisheries & angling manager

Fishing for rudd is an art. As primarily surface-feeding fish, they can be difficult to catch in numbers. Evenings tend to be the best time when you can usually see rudd dimpling at the surface on the far side of the canal amid overhanging vegetation. A fine line and small hooks are the most sensible approach, along with baits like maggots, floating casters or bread punch.