SOME COARSE SPECIES YOU MAY ENCOUNTER
BARBEL Barbus Barbus
Barbels are group of small carp-like freshwater
fish, almost all of the genus Barbus. They are
usually found in gravel and rocky-bottomed
slow-flowing waters with high dissolved oxygen
content. A typical adult barbel will range from
25 to 100 cm in length and weigh anywhere
between 200 g and 10 kg, although weights of
200 g are more common. Babies weigh 100150 g.
Barbel roe is poisonous and causes vomiting and diarrhoea in some people.
The name Barbel derived from the Latin barba, meaning beard a reference to the two pairs
of barbs — a longer pair pointing forwards and slightly down positioned — on the side of the
mouth.
The Barbel lives predominantly on the bed of fast flowing rivers feeding on various bottom
dwelling creatures; larger fish also catch crayfish, molluscs and small fish.
A powerful fighter, the Barbel is built for speed. With it's streamline body and large, deeply
forked caudal fin, it has the ability and agility to present itself as a truly formidable opponent
for any angler. The Barbel has a noticeably long, low, cylindrical head and body, olive green
to dark greyish blue back, lighter sides and a white belly. The sides of adult fish have a
golden lustre whilst the young fish have dark spots and are sometimes mottled. Its mouth
has four barbules and it's eyes are situated high up on it's head. The front ray of the dorsal
fin is hard and thick with a clearly toothed edged for which care needs to be taken to prevent
it snagging on netting.
Baits are varied from casual feeding with the use of swim-feeders and legered baits, sitting
and waiting for that rod-bending bite to stalking; stealthily walking the bank, gazing through
the water with Polaroid's and a selection of baits to hand. Whilst some results can be had
with the first method, it can also be a hit and miss affair. The better catches coming from
steady, consistent feeding and careful selection of the swim - long gravel glides fringed by
beds of flowing weed. Strong tackle being the order of the day.
The second method is the favoured one especially if the larger, specimen is the target.
Careful observation can pick out the Barbel in between weed beds sometimes accompanied
by one or two others. Again strong tackle is required. A bait, dropped ahead of the fish with a
small leger and allowed to be carried into the Barbel's feeding area, can have some
heart-stopping results.
Pre-bait a swim with particle baits, seed, corn, diced luncheon meat, and then return to fish
similar over the chosen area. Keep a low profile and try not to disturb the water too much.
Wait and watch, the bite may start with a twitch of the rod tip or line, and if the Barbel is
confident, result in your rod being wrenched from it's rest or hand.
A good bait for Barbel in any location is caster fished over a bed of hemp seed. This usually
accounts for quite a few Barbel. However, if the fishery you are fishing is stocked with small
silver fish it may be worthwhile switching to a large chunk of luncheon meat flavoured with
chilli or curry powder at this time of year.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
BLEAK Alburnus Alburnus
The Common Bleak is a small pelagic fish that occurs in Western England. It mainly prefers
open waters where there is an inflow of food from places like pumping stations or weirs. It is
also found in streams and in clear standing waters and can be very numerous in lakes. Often
known simply as the Bleak, this name can refer to any species of “Alburnus”.
The Bleak has a flat elongated body with a pointed head and small mouth that is turned
upwards. The anal fin has 18 to 23 fin rays. Its body is a silvery shiny color and the fins are
colorless and pointed. Its maximum length is about 10 inches. In Europe this species can be
confused with many other fish species. In England the young bleak can be confused with
Bream.
It lives in great schools and feeds upon small mollusks, insects that fall in the water, insect
larvae, worms, small shellfish and plant detritus. The bleak spawns near the shore in shallow
waters. The Bleak is an important food source for predatory fish. It is more sensitive to
pollution then other cyprinids.
BREAM Abramis Brama
The Common Bream has a strikingly deep body with
highly compressed sides and a distinctive mouth. Its dark
back frequently has a greenish tinge with silvery grey
sides and a whitish belly. Young fish are silvery, while the
older Bream are dark and often have a golden lustre on
their sides. Bream generally are found in large shoals,
especially when young, favouring deep, slow or still
water. The Bream can live to the ripe old age of 20 - 25 years.
Predominantly feeding on the soft bottom of ponds, lakes and the lower reaches of rivers,
the Bream can be caught with legered baits or laying on with a waggler. Bream tend to shoal
and move casually around looking for food. Large catches result from heavy feeding,
effectively laying down a carpet of bait and ground-bait whereupon the shoal once finding
the food will stay either till disturbed or having 'mopped up' the food when they will move on.
Baits such as Redworm and Castor can be used together quite successfully. Maggots,
pinkies and chopped worm mixed in with Ground-bait used liberally can provide a feeding
ground for the shoal. The Bream has not got a reputation though as a fighting fish, generally
coming to the net with little resistance.
Once a shoal starts to feed, any fish hooked needs to be pulled away from the remainder
quickly, otherwise the shoal will be spooked and will move on. Large weights can be caught
provided the shoal stays over the feeding ground. A fairly consistent method is an open-end
feeder filled with a ground-bait mix combined with a hook length of 18 - 24 inches. Once cast
in and the feeder reaches the bottom, take up the slack in the line and then pull the rod a
further 18 inches or so. This will place the hook over the ground-bait.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
COMMON CARP
Cyprinus Carpio Carpio
The Common Carp, Leather Carp and Mirror Carp
are all the same species and are native to Asia
which have been introduced to every part of the
world with the exception of the Middle East and the
poles.
Wild common carp are typically slimmer than
domesticated forms, with body length about four
times body height, red flesh, and a forward-protruding mouth. Although tolerant of most
conditions, Common Carp, Leather Carp and Mirror Carp prefer large bodies of slow or
standing water and soft, vegetative sediments. As schooling fish, they prefer to be in groups
of five or more. They naturally live in temperate climates in fresh or slightly brackish water
with a pH of 6.5–9.0 and salinity up to about 0.5%, and temperatures of 3 to 35°C. The ideal
temperature is 23 to 30°C, with spawning beginning at 17–18°C; they easily survive winter in
a frozen-over pond, as long as some free water remains below the ice. Carp are able to
tolerate water with very low oxygen levels, by gulping air at the surface.
Common carp, Leather Carp and Mirror Carp are omnivorous. They can eat a vegetarian
diet of water plants, but prefer to scavenge the bottom for insects, crustaceans (including
zooplankton), crawfish, and benthic worms. The Carp family were originally introduced to the
UK by the Romans, the majority of which were probably caught in the Danube before being
transported across Europe. Centuries of selective breeding have produced the present day
deep-bellied and high backed Carp that we are most familiar with today. They can be found
in ponds, lakes and slow flowing rivers where they have become an icon for today's
fisherman, whether it be the specialist or pleasure angler. The larger specimens can be
found in long established lakes, often secreted away, containing a good source of natural
food. They are often used as a stock fish in privately owned and club owned waters because
of their sporting prowess and agility, presenting the captor with a formidable opponent. Most
large Carp have been christened with nicknames by their captors.
Some carp are bottom feeders as well as surface. You're best bet is to see if carp are
'cruising' on the surface, jumping out of the water or just taking flies off the surface (which
means a dry fly would be best) if you see any of these things its best to use a floating bait if
ducks are present then try to fish close to lilies if if there are no ducks then cast mainly
anywhere and throw in some floating bait around yours. But if there are no signs of surface
carp then either float fish (on bottom if loose feeding) or midwater if using smelly bait or
ledgering. Popular carp baits are boilies, worms, maggots, bread (paste,crust,or flake)
luncheon,and sweetcorn. Bottom fishing methods are varied, every angler having his or her
favorite method but without doubt, a successful method is an attractive bait suspended or
floated just off the bed of the water. This can be over loose samples of the same. Generally
Carp tend to swim in small groups, two or three fish together; the larger specimens though
are often solitary. Baits can range from bread, worm or bunched maggots to the more
manufactured baits boilies, pastes and trout pellets often enhanced with flavouring from the
sweet to the exotic. Recommendations regarding tackle can be summed up in one word strong. Even the smaller 1lb fish will give more than its fair share of excitement. When
using the Emstat type feeder for fishing the Method if you're getting a lot of tip activity but
hardly any takes. Try pulling the lead weight out of the end, just using the weight of the
groundbait to cast out with. This mean's that after ground bait has fallen off you will be
freelining, resulting in more takes as the fish feel no resistance & pick the bait up with
confidence. If it's still hard try pointing the rod straight at the baited hook, you'll find it often
results in a take when the fish are picking up the bait & dropping it when they feel the
resistance of the rod tip.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
CRUCIAN CARP Carassius Carassius
The Crucian Carp whilst of the same family as
the Common Carp is different in that it doesn't
have barbules and rarely reaches a weight
above 1.5 kg. It is generally found in ponds
and lakes where it has the distinct advantage
over many species in that it can survive in
poor water quality with little oxygen and high
levels of other gases whereupon other species
would not. The Crucian Carp is mainly a
bottom feeder although it can be found feeding at all levels and often picking from the
surface during sunny days. Its main diet is zooplankton, fauna and water plants.
The Crucian Carp can be distinguished from it's relative, the Goldfish, by it's colour being
dark brownish across the back , golden or greyish green sides and a yellowish or white belly.
Also the dorsal fin which is convex on the Crucian where as on the Goldfish, tends to be
more concave. The leading hard ray of the dorsal fin has around 30 small barbs compared to
the Goldfish's 10 - 15.
Crucian Carp when kept in the same pond as it's larger relatives can and often interbreed
with the Common, Mirror or Leather Carp which in turn can present the angler with some
confusion to the fishes identity, not to mention the fish itself!
Light tackle fished on or just off the bottom or around surface plants tends to be productive.
Baits such as maggot, bread, bloodworm and small pieces of diced luncheon meat are
effective. During the summer months try a small float fished on the drop.
GRASS CARP Ctenopharyngodon idella
The Grass Carp also known as White Amur, was
originally introduced into the UK from China for
the purpose of controlling aquatic plants of
which it can consume in large quantities. It
has a long, mildly flat sided body covered
with large scales, colouring similar to but lighter
than the Wild Carp, with a golden lustre. The Grass Carp can
grow over
1metre in length and reach weights in excess of 30kg. It can occasionally be found in ponds,
lakes and medium to slow flowing rivers.
These fish are highly effective biological controls of nuisance weed and algae problems.
Stocking rates for Grass Carp need to be carefully assessed for each body of water. These
fish have voracious appetites and overstocking can result in the removal of too much aquatic
vegetation. If the Grass Carp consume too many plants, important habitat is destroyed, and
other fish populations can be adversely effected. Stocking rates vary between 5 and 15 fish
per acre depending on the amount and type of vegetation, depth and age of the pond, and
the type of water supply feeding the pond. Sterile or triploid grass carp are the only type of
grass carp that can be legally stocked in many waters. This is due to concerns over the
potential impact they may have on sensitive aquatic habitats if their reproduction is not
controlled. In the warmer months, the Grass Carp can consume the equivalent to its own
body weight, daily.
The Grass Carp is not usually fished for as a targeted species but is often caught
accidentally when fishing for others.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
LEATHER CARP Cyprinus Carpio Carpio
A noticeable difference in scale pattern is what
separates the Leather Carp from its cousins, in fact the
majority of Leather Carp have next to no scales at all.
The most common myth surrounding the Leather is that
they have no scales what so ever, whereas the truth is
that they have only a few scales. The main thing to look
out for when trying to tell the difference between
Leather and Mirror Carp is the dorsal row of scales on a true Leather they are missing or
incomplete. They are most similar to the Mirror Carp in shape with slightly deeper bodies
than the Common Carp.
Like most of the Carp species, Leather Carp can tolerate a wide range of habitat conditions,
although they tend to thrive best in well oxygenated lakes with a moderate amount of natural
weed and hence food. Leather Carp are not just different in appearance to other Carp, but
they have distinct genetic differences the main one being the decidedly lower red blood cell
count which is responsible for the much slower growth rates when compared to your
average Mirror Carp. Contrary to popular belief, Leather carp are not Mirror carp without
scales; there is a distinct genetic difference. Leather carp are permitted a few scales;
however, the dorsal row of scales is either absent or incomplete. Leathers also have
reduced numbers of red blood cells, slowing growth rates.
MIRROR CARP Cyprinus Carpio Carpio
Mirror carp are a type of fish, commonly found in the
United Kingdom and Europe. The name "Mirror Carp"
originates from their scales' resemblance to mirrors.
They can grow in excess of 60lb - the last few British
record fish have all been mirror carp.
The difference between mirror and common carp is both genetic and visual - biologically
they are similar. The mirror carp was the first mutation of common carp, owing to two
alternative genes, the S allele and the N allele. The genetic term for a mirror carp is "ssnn"
(all minor). Common carp have an even, regular scale pattern, whereas mirrors have
irregular and patchy scaling, making many fish unique and possible to identify individual fish
by sight, leading to most carp in the UK over 40 lb being nicknamed. This lack of scales is
widely believed to have been bred in by monks in order to make the fish easier to prepare for
the table.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
CATFISH Silurus Glanis
The European Catfish (Wels) is one of the largest
fish in European waters reaching a length of over
2 metres and weights of 100kg plus. Its growth can
be quite rapid providing it has sufficient food; this
consists of in their initial stages, worms and
crustaceans, to mainly fish. Larger specimens can
also feed on frogs, small mammals, large Roach
and Bream, even water-birds. Mainly predatory, the
Catfish can be found more frequently in Carp ponds
where it is stocked in order to control levels of small fish. Its natural habitat is within larger
deep lakes and rivers.
The Catfish has a long, scale-less body, a large head and a huge mouth surrounded by
three pairs of fleshy barbules - two long ones on the upper jaw and four shorter ones on the
lower jaw. The dorsal fin is small and soft whilst the anal fin stretches backwards until it
almost blends in with the tail. Occasionally specimens are found with red eyes and an almost
albino body compared to the normal black eyes and dark green/black body. The sides are a
yellowish/white colouring blending down to a white belly and have a dark, mottled, marking.
The most favoured method is a legered dead-bait - eels, carp, mullet, roach or skimmerbream. These can be fished over a ledge, within a channel or cast into the depths in a
known haunt. If using live baits, fishing with two trebles is one way also two large single
hooks can be used. An alarm system of some description is also advisable. Fishing with the
tip of the rod high in the air with a moving bait is essential. Baits fished on the surface are
favoured methods with river fishing and wire traces are a must in case you have an
encounter with a Pike. One thing to remember when fishing rivers is to keep your line clear
from the waters flow.
Strong tackle is a must as once hooked, the Catfish has a strong reluctance to come to the
net and is a formidable opponent for any angler. A strong rod with line capable of handling
fish over 100lbs is essential.
Catfish lie in rugged areas around trees and snags so finding these areas is of great
importance.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
CHUB Squalis Leuciscus
The Chub can be found in most of the UK's rivers and
more recently in still-waters where it is being stocked.
The Chub is predatory and tends to live together in
shoals, larger specimens tending to become solitary.
The staple diet of the young fish are small
invertabrates; older Chub also feed on small fish, insects, small crayfish, fruit and berries.
The Chub can often be found under overhanging trees and bushes also on gravel beds
where it can be occasionally seen feeding in a river's current.
The Chub can be distinguished from it's relation the Dace, by it's convex anal fin and the
arrangement of it's pharyngeal teeth. It has a long, cylindrical, streamlined body with grey or
black bordered scales. It's back is greyish brown in colour, tinged with green, it's sides are
lighter and often golden blending into a white belly.
Float fished baits tend to have the better results as Chub prefer a moving bait to a fixed. A
stick float used in experienced hands can be deadly, hold back slightly and allowing the bait
to be carried through the swim mid-water to just above or trundling along the bottom.
Legered baits can and often work well especially in the winter months when the fish are
more reluctant to chase food, even then the Chub is still active and some good results can
be had. Fish in open, gravel runs sided by weed or close to even under overhanging trees
using maggots, worms, bread, corn, castors or small cubes of luncheon meat with steady
feeding of loose samples. For the large specimens try a small deadbait such as a minnow or
large bread-flake.
DACE Leuciscus Leuciscus
The Dace is often found in shoals within
rivers often frequenting the faster stretches.
It's streamlined body makes it a fast fish
often seen taking flies from the surface.
Occasionally mistaken for a small Chub, the
Dace can easily be identified by it's concave
anal fin. It's main diet consisting of larval and adult insects.
The best method that springs to mind is the Stick Float. Fished light with shot spread evenly
down the line, the stick float gently held back, can have excellent results. A small bait such
as maggot or castor allowed to rise and fall with the current will tempt the Dace into biting. A
shoal fish, the Dace needs steady and consistent feeding in order to maintain it's interest
which once gotten becomes an avid feeder and the bites become more confident. Large
weights can be obtained this way often with the addition of a Chub or two that has latched on
to the feeding fish. An alternative method which also has some good results is fly-fishing
using a dry fly or nymph.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
FRESHWATER EEL Anguilla Anguilla
The Anguillidae are a family of fishes that contains
the freshwater eels. The 19 species and six
subspecies in this family are all in genus Anguilla.
They are catadromous, meaning they spend their
lives in freshwater rivers, lakes, or estuaries,
and return to the ocean to spawn. The young
eel larvae, called leptocephali, live only in the
ocean and consume small particles called
marine snow. They grow larger in size, and in
their next growth stage they are called glass eels. At this stage they enter estuaries, and
when they become pigmented they are known as elvers. Elvers travel upstream in
freshwater rivers, where they grow to adulthood. Some details of eel reproduction are as yet
unknown, and the discovery of the spawning area of the American and European eels in the
Sargasso Sea is one of the more famous anecdotes in the history of Ichthyology.
The spawning areas of some other anguillid eels, such as the Japanese eel, and the giant
mottled eel were also discovered recently in the western North Pacific Ocean.
Eels are elongated fish, ranging in length from 5 centimetres (2.0 in) to 4 metres (13 ft).
Adults range in weight from 30 grams to over 25 kilograms. They possess no pelvic fins, and
many species also lack pectoral fins. The dorsal and anal fins are fused with the caudal or
tail fin, forming a single ribbon running along much of the length of the animal. Their scales
are thin and soft. Most eels live in the shallow waters of the ocean and burrow into sand,
mud, or amongst rocks. A majority of eel species are nocturnal, and thus are rarely seen.
Sometimes, they are seen living together in holes, or "eel pits". Some species of eels also
live in deeper water on the continental shelves and over the slopes deep as 4,000 metres
(13,000 ft). Only members of the Anguillidae family regularly inhabit fresh water, but they too
return to the sea to breed.
Eel blood is toxic to humans and other mammals, but both cooking and the digestive
process destroy the toxic protein. The toxin derived from eel blood serum was used by
Charles Richet in his Nobel winning research which discovered anaphylaxis (by injecting it
into dogs and observing the effect).
The Jewish laws of Kashrut forbid the eating of eels. According to the King James version of
the Old Testament, it is all right to eat fin fish, but fish like eels, which do not have fins, are
an abomination and should not be eaten.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
GUDGEON Gobio Gobio
The Gudgeon can be found in still-waters, canals and
rivers feeding on bottom dwelling organisms such as
midge, caddis-fly and may-fly larvae. On either side of
it's mouth there is a short, single barbule, it's throat is scale-less. It's back is brown, greyish
brown or green with silvery or yellow sides adorned with a row of six to twelve large, dark
spots. The Gudgeon prefers a clean, gravel bed and is nearly always found in large shoals.
A sturdy fish, the Gudgeon has a relatively short lifespan of around five years and can reach
a length of 20cms although 10 - 12cms is the norm.
Float fished maggot or worm is the favoured method for these fish. A pole or whip used in
shallow water can produce large numbers of Gudgeon in a short space of time provided the
shoal can be kept interested by loose feeding. White maggot can have good results as can
blood-worm.
IDE Leuciscus idus
The Ide and it's golden form, the Orfe are found
in ponds, lakes and rivers. They have a relatively
deep, somewhat flat-sided body, a rather small
head and quite large eyes. The Ide is greyish
blue to blackish green on it's back, silvery sides
and a white belly with a deeply forked tail. It is not a native of the British Isles, being
more commonplace in Europe.
The Ide being predatory, is fished for mainly with small dead-baits, artificial flies and
small lures such as spinners although using a crystal canal waggler on shallow
streams and rivers with large white and red maggots, casters or meat baits, work
well.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
MINNOW Phoxinus Phoxinus
The Eurasian minnow breeds well in cold fresh water.
They need a good supply of oxygen and can live in
both rivers and stillwaters as long as the oxygen levels
are sufficent they also require a stone or a gravel
bottom to the water they live in. It is not clear what size works best although smallish gravel
(0.5 cm each) works well. Clean water helps and so do plant life and general good quality
water conditions. Breeding begins around late May when the fish become noticeably more
active, and the fish begin to change colour. The females don't change their colour so much,
more the shape of their body; in fact the colours seem to fade if anything except for the fins
which become slightly more red. Their body becomes more deep set toward the abdomen,
which area also starts bulking out. Although the changes in the female are small, the
changes in the male are huge. First of all, the difference in the shades of colour on the fish
become stronger (dark gets darker, light gets lighter), and the fins, throat and some other
areas redden. These colour changes strengthen as the fish gets closer to breeding. The
body becomes much bulkier, and the gills become very pale with iridescent light blue
patches towards the bottom and below. This contrasts with the now very dark body. Later
the scales on the lower half of the body begin to stand out more and become slightly goldlined. All these strengthen as time passes on. All the fins, especially the dorsal, start to stick
out more; this happens in both sexes. The males begin to chase females around, rubbing
their sides against them, and this becomes very frenzied and aggressive towards the mating.
Mating happens when this behaviour reaches its climax where the female releases the eggs
and the male fertilizes them.
Fertilised eggs promptly sink to the bottom and into the stones or gravel. Other fish will start
eating the eggs and picking at the stones and gravel to find them. The male will ferociously
guard the eggs for a period of time. A few days after being layed the eggs will hatch and the
fry will emerge. It is very important to have plant cover for the fry to hide in as the adult fish
will try to eat them especially if underfed and if not much other live food is available.
The baby fry feed on small organisms called infusoria and algae. To grow infusoria for
feeding just get a jam jar of pond water and run it through some cotton wool or muslin to get
out any larger predatory organisms like daphnia which will eat the infusoria and add hay to
the water. Leave it for a few days in a dimly lit room at about room temp. and when you next
look you should see lots of tiny white dots in the water which, if looked at under a
microscope reveal to be lots of types of infusoria in their millions. these can be fed to the fry
by adding them to the water source. To get more just add some of the old water containing
the infusoria to cooled, boiled tap water with hay and repeat the other procedures. As the fry
grow their diet changes. When they reach about half an inch they feed on small organisms
like daphnia or cyclops. These can be obtained by dragging a net through water where they
can be seen or they can be purchased from aquarium dealers. Soon the fish will eat the
same food as the adults and will quickly grow.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
ORFE Leuciscus idus aberr orfus
The Orfe which is golden and its relative the Ide are found in
ponds, lakes and rivers. They have a relatively deep,
somewhat flat-sided body, a rather small head and quite large
eyes. The Orfe is golden with a white belly and has a deeply forked tail. It is not a native of
the British Isles, being more commonplace in Europe.
Fishing float on the drop or just beneath the surface can be quite successful for catching
Orfe. Generally it is possible to see the fish approach so therefore it can be quite interesting
to watch as it approaches the maggot, castor or worm fished on light tackle. A few floating
castors can often stimulate the fish into feeding.
PERCH Perca Fluviatillis
Perch is a common name for fish of the genus Perca,
freshwater gamefish belonging to the family Percidae. The
perch, of which there are three species in different
geographical areas, lend their name to a large order
of vertebrates: the Perciformes, from the Greek perke
meaning spotted, and the Latin forma meaning shape.
Many species of freshwater gamefish more or less
resemble perch, but belong to a different genera. In
fact, the exclusively salt water dwelling red drum is often referred to as a red perch, even
though by definition perch are freshwater fish. Though many fish are referred to as perch as
a common name, to be considered a true perch the fish must be of the family Percidae.
The general body type of a perch includes a somewhat long, rounded stature. True perch
have "rough" or ctenoid scales. On the anterior side of the head are the maxilla and lower
mandible for the mouth, a pair of nostrils, and two lidless eyes. On the posterior sides are
the opercula, which protect the gills. Also there is the lateral line system which is sensitive to
vibrations in the water. They have a pair of pectoral and pelvic fins. There are two dorsal
fins, the first one spiny and the second soft. These two fins can be separate or joined. There
is also an anal fin, which is also considered spiny, and a caudal fin. The cloaca lies directly
behind the anal fin. All perciform fish share this general morphology.
Perch are carnivorous fish that are most commonly found in small ponds, lakes, streams, or
rivers. These fish like to feed on smaller fish, shellfish, or insect larvae, but can be caught
with nearly any bait. They commonly spawn during the spring, when the females lay strings
of eggs in covered areas such as near branches or underwater plants.
Perch are sought after by fishermen both for sport and for food. They can be caught with a
variety of methods, but the two best methods are perhaps float fishing and lure fishing. The
best way is to use a small hook and cast into the weeds just before the drop off. When
fishing with a float, the angler will want to have a disgorger; Perch are notorious for
swallowing the hook, and will need aid of a disgorger or forceps for unhooking. In many parts
of the world they are also a favorite species among ice fishermen. They will take a variety of
baits, including minnows, worms, maggots, bread, pieces of raw bacon, and soft shell
crayfish. Perch grow to around 5 lb (2.3 kg) or more, but the most common fish to be caught
are around 1 lb (0.45 kg) or less, and anything over 2 lb (0.91 kg) is considered a prize
catch. The British record perch is 6lb, beating the previous one by 1 oz (28 g).
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
PIKE Esox Lucius
Pike are most often olive green, shading from yellow
to white along the belly. The flank is marked with
short, light bar-like spots and there are a few to
many dark spots on the fins. Sometimes the fins are
reddish. Younger pike have yellow stripes along a
green body, later the stripes divide into light spots
and the body turns from green to olive green. The
lower half of the gill cover lacks scales and they
have large sensory pores on their head and on the
underside of the lower jaw which are part of the
lateral line system. Unlike the similar-looking and closely related muskellunge, the northern pike has
light markings on a dark body background and fewer than six sensory pores on the underside of each
side of the lower jaw.
Another form of pike, the silver pike, is not a subspecies but rather a mutation that occurs in scattered
populations. Silver pike, sometimes called silver muskellunge, lack the rows of spots and appear
silver, white, or silvery-blue in color. When ill Silver pike have been known to display a somewhat
purplish hue, long illness is also the most common cause of male sterility.
Pike grow to a relatively large size; lengths of 150 centimetres (59 in) and weights of 25 kilograms
(55 lb) are not unheard of. The heaviest specimen known so far was caught in an abandoned stone
quarry, in Germany, in 1983. She (the majority of all pikes over 8 kg or 18 lb are females) was 147 cm
(58 in) long and weighed 31 kg (68 lb). The longest pike ever recorded was 152 cm (60 in) long and
weighed 28 kg (62 lb). Historic reports of giant pike, caught in nets in Ireland in the late 19th century,
of 41–42 kg (90–93 lb), were researched by Fred Buller and published in "The Domesday Book of
Mammoth Pike". Neither Britain nor Ireland has managed to produce much in the way of giant pike in
the last 50 years and as a result there is substantial doubt surrounding those earlier claims.
As northern pike grow longer, they increase in weight. The
relationship between length and weight is not linear. The
relationship between total length (L, in inches) and total weight
(W, in pounds) for nearly all species of fish can be expressed
by an equation of the form:
Invariably, b is close to 3.0 for all species, and c is a constant
that varies among species. For northern pike, b = 3.096 and c
= 0.000180. (c=7.089 enables you to put in length in meters
and weight in kg)
The relationship described in this section suggests that a 20-inch (510 mm) northern pike will weigh
about 2 lb (0.91 kg), while a 26-inch (660 mm) northern pike will weigh about 4 lb (1.8 kg).
Pike take big prey and are not very particular. Pike are found
in sluggish streams and shallow, weedy places in lakes, as
well as in cold, clear, rocky waters. Pike are typical ambush
predators; they lie in wait for prey, holding perfectly still for
long periods and then exhibit remarkable acceleration as
they strike. In short, they will inhabit any water body that
contains fish, but suitable places for spawning are essential
for their numbers. Because of their cannibalistic nature,
young pike need places where they can take shelter between
plants so they are not eaten. In both cases it comes down to
a rich submersible vegetation nearby.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
PIKE CONTINUED
Pike are seldom found in brackish water, except for the Baltic Sea area. Pike are known to
prefer water with less turbidity but that is probably related to their dependence on the
presence of submersible vegetation and not to their being a sight hunter.
Pike are known to spawn in spring when the water temperature first reaches 9 °C (48 °F).
The males are first at the spawning grounds preceding the females for a few weeks. The
larger females tend to be earlier than the smaller ones. Mostly a female is followed by
several smaller males. When a pair starts slowing down the male will put his tail under the
female's body and release its sperm that is mixed with the eggs due to the tail movement.
The spawning consists of a great number of these moves several times a minute and going
on for a few hours a day. Every move between 5 and 60 eggs are laid. A female can
continue the mating for three days in a row. After the mating the males tend to stay in the
area for a few extra weeks.
The color of the sticky eggs is yellow to orange, the diameter is 2.5 to 3 mm. The embryos
are 7.5 to 10 mm in length and able to swim after hatching but stay on the bottom for some
time. The embryonic stage is 5 to 16 days, dependent on water temperature (at 19°C and
10°C, respectively). Under natural circumstances the survival from free swimming larva to
75 mm pike is around 5 percent. Pike can reach the reproductive stage in a year, females
being 30 cm, males 19 cm. Pike normally live 5 to 15 years, but can be as old as 30. Life
expectancy and growth are dependent on circumstances. Some Canadian populations have
many old slender pikes, Baltic pike grow to great lengths in a short time while eating nutrient
rich herring.
The young free swimming pike feed on small invertebrates starting with daphnia, and quickly
moving on to bigger prey like isopods like asellus or gammarus. When the body length is 4
to 8 cm they start feeding on small fish.
The pike have a very typical hunting behavior; they are able to remain stationary in the water
by moving the last fin rays of the dorsal fins and the breast fins. Before striking they bend
their body and dash out to the prey using the large surface of tail fin, dorsal fin and anal fin to
propel themselves. The fish has a distinctive habit of catching its prey sideways in the
mouth, immobilising it with its sharp backward pointing teeth, and then turning the prey
headfirst to swallow it. It eats mainly fish, but on occasion water voles and ducklings have
also been known to fall prey to pike. Young pike have been found dead from choking on a
pike of a similar size. Pike also feed on frogs, insects and leeches. They are not very
particular and eat spiny fish like perch and will even take sticklebacks if that is the only
available prey.
The northern pike is a largely solitary predator. It migrates during a spawning season, and it
follows prey fish like roach to their deeper winter quarters. Sometimes divers observe groups
of similar sized pike that might have some cooperation and it is known to anglers pike tend
to start hunting at the same time, so there are some "wolfpack" theories about that. Large
pike can be caught on dead immobile fish so it is thought that these pike move about in a
rather large territory to find the food to sustain them. Large pike are also known to cruise
large water bodies at a few metres depth, probably pursuing schools of prey fish. Smaller
pike are more of an ambush predator, probably because of their vulnerability to cannibalism.
Pikes are often found near the exit of culverts, which can be attributed to the presence of
schools of prey fish and the opportunity for ambush.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
PROTECTED SPECIES
Whitefish: "Coregonidae" Family.
POWAN (Coregonus Lavaretus) and
VENDACE (Coregonus Albula)
A group of slender bodied herring type fish
that are very scarce in the United Kingdom.
They are protected by law and cannot be
fished for deliberately.
They are, as their common name suggests, a
very light coloured fish, with a grey / black
back silver flanks, and a white belly. They are
similar in shape to the herring, having deeply forked tails and large mouths.
Their distribution in the UK is limited to very deep lakes and lochs such as Lake Bala in
Wales, Conniston Water in the English Lake District and Loch Lomond in Scotland. They
usually live at great depths in cold clean water and feed on plankton, molluscs and insect
larvae. Due to their rarity Whitefish are now protected by law and cannot be fished for
deliberately, or kept if caught.
There is now a population of Powan in Carron Valley Reservoir, introduced there to protect
the species as it is in rapid decline in
Loch Lomond.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
ROACH Rutilus Rutilus
The roach (Rutilus rutilus), also known as the
common roach, is a fresh and brackish-water
fish of the Cyprindae family, native to most of
Europe and western Asia. Note that name
"roach" is not unique, but fishes called roach
can be any species of the genera Rutilus and
Hesperoleucus depending on locality. The
plural of the term is also roach.
The roach is typically a small fish, often reaching no more than about 35 cm (14 inches).
Maximum length is 45 cm. The body has a blueish silvery colour and becomes white at the
belly. The fins are red. The number of scales along the lateral line is 39-48. The dorsal and
anal fin has 12-14 rays. Young specimens have a slender build, older specimens get a
higher and broader body shape. The roach can often be recognized by the big red spot in
the iris above and beside the pupil. Colours of the eye and fins can be very pale however in
some environments.
In Central and Northern Europe, the common roach can most easily be confused with the
common rudd (Scardinius erythropthalmus), the dace (Leuciscus leuciscus) or the ide
(Leuciscus idus). They can however be distinguished by the following characters:
The common rudd has a more yellow/greenish or golden colour. The backfin is placed more
backwards and between the tip of the ventral scales and the first ray of the anal fin there are
only one or two scales. The roach has 4 or 5 scales there. The mouth of the rudd is more
upturned and the head appears sharper.
The common roach prefers to feed in the deeper parts of water bodies but can be found in
any water body deeper than 20 centimetres (7.9 in) and wider than 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in)
and adapts to local circumstances. It tolerates organic pollution and is one of the last species
to disappear in polluted waters, but is also often the most numerous cyprinid in nutrient-poor
waters. It also tolerates brackish water. The lethal temperature is around 31 °C (88 °F).
Fishing for roach in Britain is relatively easy because the species is found in most rivers, lakes and
ponds throughout the country. Larger specimens tend to be elusive, but smaller individuals are
easy to catch on relatively light line and with a bait such as maggot or worm. They also take
particle baits such as sweetcorn and can be caught on a variety of baits. The only limit is the
size of the bait, because the mouth of the roach is relatively small and the pharyngeal teeth
are not particularly strong. A popular bait particularly in France and Belgium is germinated,
cooked hemp seed.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
RUDD Scardinius Erythrophthalmus
Morphologically, this species is very similar to the
roach (Rutilus, rutilus), with which it can be easily
confused. It can be identified by the yellow eye
colour. The eye of the roach has a big red spot
above the pupil,that can be more or less
conspicuous. The rudd has an upturned mouth
allowing it to feed easily at the top of the water. The
placement of the dorsal fin is more to the rear which
is even visible in very young fish. There are normally
only one or two scales between the tip of the pelvic
fins and the anal fins, while on the roach there are
five. Also the skin of the rudd is yellowish green, while the roach is bluish on the flanks. Also the
upturned mouth is visible even in young fish. Furthermore the rudd's number of soft rays in the dorsal
fin (8–9 compared to 10–12). The rudd can grow to a size of about 45 cm.
Rudd prefer clear waters rich in plants. They also feed on aquatic vegetation when the temperature
exceeds 18°C. They hunt for living prey in the upper levels. They prefer mestotrophic waters (a body
of water having a moderate amount of dissolved nutrients), while the roach is sometimes found
together with the perch in waters that are nutrient poor.
PROTECTED SPECIES
SHAD
“Alosa” Family
(Endangered Species in British Waters)
There are two members of the Shad family found in the United
Kingdom,
Allis Shad (Alosa Alosa)
Allis Shad (Alosa alosa Lacépède),
and the Twaite shad (Alosa fallax Lacépède). They are both
members of the herring family, Clupeidae. They are silver
coloured fish with black spots high on their flanks and back.
Allis and Twaite shad are unusual in as much as like Salmon
they migrate between fresh and salt water.
Twaite Shad (Alosa Fallax)
Both Allis and Twaite Shad are found in major rivers flowing into the Atlantic.
The simplest way to distinguish the Allis and Twaite shad is by size, the number of lateral line scales
and the number of gill rakers on the first gill arch. Allis shad are usually 30–50 cm, with more than 70
scales along the lateral line and more than 90 fine gillrakers on the first gill arch. Twaite shad are
usually 25–40 cm, with less than 70 scales along the lateral line and less than 60 coarse gill rakers on
the first gill arch.
Mature fish that have spent most of their lives in the sea stop feeding and move into the estuaries of
large rivers, migrating into fresh water during late spring. Males migrate upstream first, followed by
females one or two weeks later. In the breeding areas, shoals of fish accumulate in suitable pools,
spawning takes place at night in flowing water over clean gravel beds. Almost all Allis shad die after
spawning, surviving adults dropping downstream to the sea. After hatching, the young remain in the
slow-flowing reaches of the lower parts of rivers, then they move into the estuary and eventually into
coastal waters and the open sea.
Shad were once widely fished for in Europe. In the Severn Estuary during the middle of the 19th
Century, shad made up about one -third of all catches, with their value rivalling that of salmon. Both
Allis and Twaite shad have declined across Europe and are now absent from many rivers and are
now both threatened with extinction. Allis shad are a recognised endangered species.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
PROTECTED SPECIES
SPARLING or SMELT "Osmerus Eperlanus" (Endangered Species in British Waters)
Sparling occur around the western coasts of Europe
(including the Baltic Sea) and its range extends as far
south as Spain. This species is found in coastal waters
and estuaries and migrates into large clean rivers to
spawn.
Sparling were previously known to occur in a number of Scottish rivers and populations have
now disappeared from almost all of these rivers, with the rivers Cree, Forth and Tay being
notable exceptions. Today they are most common in the River Cree
Adult Sparling utilise estury environments and spawn in rivers. These fish use high spring
tides between February-April to help move upstream, spawning activity is linked to the lunar
cycle. Once in the river, Sparling spawn, near the tidal limit, on gravel, cobble, boulders and
vegetation in rivers. Spawning happens pretty quickly and in some years, spawning events
can be difficult to detect. The eggs adhere to these substrates and, to hatch successfully, the
eggs require good quality, well oxygenated water. Most fish die after spawning takes place,
although some survive to spawn again. After hatching, juvenile Sparling move back to
estuaries to feed and grow before returning, as adults, to spawn.
Sparling populations are highly susceptible to deterioration in water quality (particularly
siltation). They are poor swimmers and in-stream barriers to migration or increased river
discharge (spates) can have a negative impact on spawning success. During Spawning they
are easy to catch and this increases pressure on the population.
Sparling are a conservation feature in two Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Scotland,
giving them protection under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). It is also
included in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority Species list.
STICKLE-BACK Gasterosteus aculeatus aculeatus
Stickleback’s are most commonly found in the ocean, but
can be found in some freshwater lakes. The freshwater
species were trapped in freshwater lakes in Europe, Asia
and North America after the ice age, and have evolved
different features from the ocean variety. They feed on small
crustaceans and fish larvae.
Stickleback’s are distinguished by the presence of strong and clearly isolated spines in the
dorsal fin. Their maximum length is about 4 inches, but few of them are more than 3 inches
long. They mature sexually at a length of about 2 inches. All species show a similar mating
behaviour, which is also unusual among fish. The males construct a nest from vegetation
held together by secretions from their kidneys. The males then attract females to the nest.
The female will lay their eggs inside the nest where the male can fertilise them. The male
then guards the eggs until they hatch.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
Protected Species
STURGEON Acipenser Oxyrinchus Oxyrinchus
Sturgeon is the common name used for some 25 species of fish in the family
Acipenseridae, including the genera Acipenser, Huso, Scaphirhynchus and
Pseudoscaphirhynchus. The term includes over 20 species commonly referred to as
sturgeon and several closely related species that have distinct common names, notably
sterlet, kaluga and beluga. Collectively, the family is also known as the true sturgeons.
Sturgeon is sometimes used more exclusively to refer to the species in the two best-known
genera, Acipenser and Huso.
One of the oldest families of bony fish in existence, sturgeon are native to subtropical,
temperate and sub-Arctic rivers, lakes and coastlines of Eurasia and North America. They
are distinctive for their elongated bodies, lack of scales, and occasional great size: sturgeons
ranging from 7–12 feet (2-3½ m) in length are common, and some species grow up to 18
feet (5.5 m). Most sturgeons are anadromous bottom-feeders, spawning upstream and
feeding in river deltas and estuaries. While some are entirely freshwater, a very few venture
into the open ocean beyond near coastal areas.
Several species of sturgeons are harvested for their roe, which is made into caviar (a luxury
food) which makes some sturgeons pound for pound the most valuable of all harvested fish.
Because they are slow-growing and mature very late in life, they are particularly vulnerable
to exploitation and to other threats, including pollution and habitat fragmentation. Most
species of sturgeons are currently considered to be at risk of extinction, making them more
critically endangered than any other group of species.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
TENCH Tinca Tinca
The Tench can be found in most stillwaters, canals
and even rivers and can manage to survive in
poorly oxygenated conditions where other fish
would not. It is a bottom dwelling fish feeding on
crustaceans, larvae and bloodworms and is
generally found in small shoals. A feeding fish
often releases a stream of tiny bubbles that can be
seen on the surface. The Tench is a sturdily built
fish with small scales embedded in it's olive green
body. It's eyes are small and it has two barbules, one either side of it's mouth. The female of
the species has larger ventral fins to that of the male. Colour variations of the Tench can
often be found in ponds, usually gold in colour and with a variety of markings, where they
have been stocked for ornamental purposes.
One of the best baits to use for Tench is small red-worm or red maggots. These can be
fished with float methods ideally 'laying on'. The float needs to be set about 10cm over depth
so that the bait is actually resting on the bottom. The bulk of the shot needs to be around the
float, a waggler with a cane antennae, and a single number 4 positioned 8cm from the hook.
Fish over loose fed maggots or chopped worm close to weed beds or the bank-side. Tench
tend to be cautious feeders and often play with the bait before confidently taking it. This is
reflected in the bite. The float will often bob a few times before lifting slightly and then gliding
away. Many bites are missed by over anxious anglers striking too early and it is advisable to
wait for the float to glide away before striking. Once the Tench looses it's inhibitions it will
rise to intercept feed and bites can sometimes be had as the bait is falling through the water.
If this is the case, replace the no.4 shot with a number 6 and move it further up the line so
that the last 50cms falls freely. A Tench once hooked can present the angler with a quite
energetic fight, often diving for available cover and snags therefore tackle needs to be fairly
strong. An alternative bait is a Kidney Bean, presented on a size 10 or 12 hook and fished
slightly over-depth with a waggler. The bean should be squashed at the very end to show
white which in turn produces an attractive smell/taste.
Tench are a early morning species so try for them at the crack of dawn or at dusk.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)
ZANDER Stizostedion lucioperca
The Zander also known as the Pike-Perch is a
predator which caused a lot of controversy when
it was first introduced into UK waters. The Zander
is a cunning predator which hunts its prey in
packs. It is a member of the Perch family, not as
is commonly believed a
Pike - Perch hybrid. The Zander is more
streamline than the Perch, its two dorsal fins are
spaced apart and its mouth contains a formidable
array of fang like teeth. These fit into hollows in the opposite side of the jaws and are used to
stab the prey, inflicting a fatal wound, and then used to hold it. The Zander is mainly found in
the Fenlands of East Anglia and extensively throughout Eastern Europe where it is used for
food. Zander generally prefer deep, quiet waters where it stays in hiding during the daytime,
coming out to hunt in the evening and early morning. Unlike the Pike they chase and grasp
their prey by the tail or any part of the body they can get hold of. They then swallow the fish
tail or head first, not turning it in the way Pike do. Any fish they cannot swallow is ejected
and then later picked up dead from the bottom.
Dead-baits about 7-10cm long have proved to be the number one Zander bait over the
years, although there are occasions when live-baits of around 2oz do have the edge. Coarse
fish, especially eel sections, are the better dead-baits. Zander usually ignore sea baits such
as mackerel, herring and sardines, although smelt do pick up a few fish. Fresh and frozen
baits are equally effective.
Dead-baits should be legered and it is advisable to puncture the swim-bladder of the bait first
to ensure it doesn't float. Keep the weight of the leger to the minimum as any resistance can
result in dropped bait. Live-baits can be fished on a float or paternoster set-up with the bait
presented naturally around 60 - 80cm from the bottom. Position your baits as close as you
can to any underwater structure or in the shallower areas during dusk or dawn. Strong tackle
is recommended and whilst a wire trace is not essential it is advisable as Pike will often fall
to the bait.
Leapfrogging a pair of rods along the bank can be a very good method of locating Zander;
try to find swims with shoals of small prey fish as the Zander will not be too far away. On
occasions it is possible to see a feeding 'pack' as the shallower water suddenly erupts during
a frenzied attack.
All information sourced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom (Accessed 2003)