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.
Rare and protected fish
Find out which rare and protected types of fish can be found in our canals and rivers.
Allis shad
The Allis shad is a member of the herring family and enters freshwater only to spawn.
Brook lamprey
Find out about the rare and unusual lamprey.
Bullhead
These small fish are only found in clean, stony waters and around the brick work at canal locks.
Crucian carp
Crucian carp are very shy and tend to avoid our most popular canals.
Eel
Eels can live to be 100 years old.
Smelt
Smelt are a major food source for fish-eating birds and other fish such as trout and sea bass.
Spined loach
Read all about this small fish which is very difficult to catch.
Twaite shad
Due to the rarity of this species, the shad is subject to substantial legal protection.
White-clawed crayfish
The white-clawed crayfish is not technically a fish but a crustacean.
River lamprey
The river lamprey is much smaller than its large relative, the sea lamprey.
Sea lamprey
The largest of the three lamprey species in the UK.
Last Edited: 27 February 2025
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