Native to eastern North America, the pumpkinseed has been introduced and established in many parts of Europe, and also in parts of southern England.
Appearance: averaging 10-15cm in length, the pumpkinseed has a moderately compressed shape similar to a bream. They are a creamy golden colour in the main. The single dorsal fin is divided into two parts, the first half hard and spiky, then more soft and rounded towards the tail. The body is covered with translucent blue green irregular spots. The head is marked with horizontal light fluorescent stripes with a red-tipped gill cover.
British record: 14oz 2dms (British Record Fish Committee January 2015)
Lateral line scale count: 33-40 (this is the dark row of scales along the central length of the fish's body)
Lifespan: eight to nine years
How to catch a pumpkinseed
Locating waters with pumpkinseed in is tricky. Light float and rod and line tactics with live baits such as maggots and worms work particularly well.
Where to catch a pumpkinseed
We are not aware of this species ever being recorded in the canal network.
