The Ultimate Guide to Fish Species: Your Go-To Resource for Anglers

This entry was posted on 19th April, 2023 by Anna Cooper

Fishing is a popular pastime for many people. It offers a way to connect with nature, spend time outdoors, and potentially catch a trophy-sized fish! However, with so many fishing species out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, this ultimate guide to fishing species will provide you with all the information you need to know about different fishing species, their habitats, behaviours, and techniques for catching them.

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Freshwater Fishing Species

Saltwater Fishing Species

Fly Fishing Species

What is the Fish Species Guide?

Understanding Fish Species

Before diving into the specific fishing species, it's important to understand the basics. Fish are cold-blooded animals that live in a variety of habitats. UK fish species can be broadly classified into two categories: freshwater and saltwater.

Fish species in the UK come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny minnows to massive catfish. Learning fish species' names, and understanding the behaviour and habitat of each species can help you determine the best techniques and fishing gear to use when fishing for them.

How can I know the location of fish species?

Consult local maps
Talk to other anglers
Gather information about the water body before heading out
Determine the location of the fish via fish finders
Consider the water temperature. Warmer waters mean fish will be in shaded areas.

Freshwater Fishing Species

Freshwater fishing is a popular activity for anglers all over the world. British freshwater fish species inhabit rivers, lakes, ponds and even canals. Here are some of the most common UK freshwater fish species:

Carp

Carp are one of the most favoured species of fish for anglers in the UK. There are several subspecies of carp that we anglers love to target, all beautiful in their own way! Common Carp and Mirror Carp are the most sought-after due to their impressive sizes but many coarse anglers will target F1 carp and some specimen hunters will go after decent-sized crucian carp.

Wels Catfish

Catfish is a bottom-dwelling freshwater fish species that can be found in rivers and lakes throughout the United Kingdom. Catfish fish are known for their whiskers and their strong sense of smell, which they use to locate food. Catfish can be caught using a variety of predator baits, including worms, chicken liver, and stink bait.

Pike

Pike fish is a predatory freshwater fish that can be found in rivers, lakes, and ponds throughout the UK. They are known for their sharp teeth and aggressive behaviour, making pike fishing popular for predator anglers to target with dead baits and lures.

Zander

Zander is a popular predator fish that are found in freshwater environments throughout deep rivers in the UK. They are often caught using live bait, such as minnows as well as artificial lures, such as jigs and crankbaits.

Tench

The distinguishing characteristic of a tench is its sizable, circular dorsal fin. These freshwater fish are native to European rivers, shallow lakes, and backwaters, and tend to inhabit areas with a lot of vegetation.

During the winter, tench have been observed burying themselves in mud. Dark groundbait, corn, maggots and worms are some of the most popular tench baits.

Saltwater Fishing Species

Saltwater fishing offers a unique experience for anglers, with the opportunity to catch larger and more powerful fish species. Some sea fishing species linger closer to the shoreline, and others in deeper water require charter hire. Alternatively, you can access deeper waters by fishing from structures like piers. Here are some of the most common UK sea fish species:

Tuna

Tuna is a popular saltwater fish species that can be found in oceans all over the world. They are known for their speed and fighting power, making them a challenge to catch. Tuna can be caught using a variety of techniques, including trolling and bait fishing.

Bass

The European sea bass fish, also known as 'bass' is a ferocious fighter and can be found near-shore, estuaries, and upstream rivers during warmer months. During the winter, they become offshore residents. To fish for bass, try luring them with top baits like mackerel, shads or worms.

Dab

Dabs are sneaky hunters that lurk in sandy or muddy areas near coastlines, harbours, as well as estuaries. If you're hoping to catch a dab, you'll need worms, pieces of fish, or other tasty baits like crustaceans and mollusks.

Dogfish

The lesser-spotted dogfish, also known as rockfish is a small shark-like creature. A seabed scavenger, dogfish can be found in shallow waters no deeper than 50 meters. Catch this intriguing fish using worms, fish, prawns, shellfish, or a strip of fresh mackerel, herring, or pilchard.

Flounder

This flatfish species can follow the tides into estuaries and even venture upriver for short periods. Try fishing in areas with muddy or sandy bottoms along the shoreline or in estuaries and creeks. For bait, try using worms, prawns, crustaceans, or molluscs.

Fly Fishing Species

Fly fishing involves the use of artificial lures shaped like flies to catch mostly trout and salmon. However, it's not limited to just those species! You can actually fly fish for a variety of other fish, such as pike, bass, panfish, grayling, and even carp! Fly fishing mostly takes place on rivers, streams or trout fisheries.

Salmon

Salmon is a popular game fish that are found in both freshwater and saltwater environments around the world. If you're looking for a true challenge in your fishing adventures, look no further than the mighty salmon.

These hardy creatures are eager to take on any bait, or even just flies, as they fiercely defend their territory. With their impressive strength and resilience, catching a salmon can turn even a seasoned angler into a wide-eyed newbie. They are often caught using fly fishing techniques, such as using a fly rod and artificial flies, or using a spinning rod and lure.

Rainbow Trout

Trout is a popular freshwater fish species that can be found in rivers, streams, and lakes throughout Wales, Scotland and parts of England. These anadromous fish travel upstream from the sea to spawn, making their distribution widespread.

Rainbows are known for their beautiful colours and can be caught using a variety of techniques, including fly fishing and bait fishing. Although fly fishing for rainbow trout can be a challenge, it's worth it as they're known to be both exciting to catch and to grow to considerable sizes.

Brown Trout

This sub-species of trout are a popular game fish that are found in freshwater rivers throughout much of Europe, particularly in fast-moving waters with a stony or gravelly bottom. Fortunately, snagging a brown trout is a snap - all you need is a winning fly that matches your local water conditions and the time of year.

Trout Fishing Near Me

If you need some help finding somewhere to fish for trout or planning a fly fishing trip, get all the guidance you need in our article.

What is the Most Popular Fish Species to Catch?

The most popular fish species to catch vary depending on the location, but Common Bream, Barbel, Chub and Roach are some of the most commonly targeted species. Although Crucian Carp, Eel, Cod and Haddock are well-known species, their numbers are fleeting and therefore special care is required if targeting these fish.

Be sure to try a variety of fishing techniques and baits for these types of fish as they get targeted with the same baits/styles often and be wary of them.

Lesser-Known Fish Species

Dover sole, Ling, Weever Fish, Leather Carp and Gudgeon are some of the least fished for species in the UK with many not knowing much about them! You may not be overly familiar with these fish but you can find all the fishing information required to target them in the Angling Direct Fish Species Guide.

What is the Fish Species Guide?

Want more information on the species mentioned in this guide or other fish species available in the UK, check out an extensive collection of fish species information all available for free at Angling Direct.

Regulations and Conservation

Fishing regulations and ethics are important to follow to protect the fish and the environment. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Fishing Licenses: Most areas in the UK requires anglers to have a fishing license before they can legally fish. Licenses are sold by the Environment Agency and help fund conservation efforts. Find full details in our fishing licence guide.

Catch and Release: Catch and release is a technique where anglers release the fish they catch back into the water. This helps preserve fish populations and ensures that the fish can continue to reproduce and grow.

Limits and Restrictions: Many fish species have limits on how many can be caught and kept. It's important to follow fish limits to ensure that populations remain healthy. Try to avoid fishing for fish that are of high vulnerability/concern.

Safety Tips: Fishing can be a dangerous activity if proper safety precautions are not taken. It's important to wear appropriate clothing and footwear, use sunscreen, and always wear a life jacket when fishing from a boat.

Can I fish all year round or are there specific seasons for certain species?

You can catch a variety of fish on stillwaters and canals throughout the year in the UK. From coarse fish to rainbow and brown trout, there are plenty of opportunities to reel in a good catch.

It is essential to be aware that certain bodies of water have specific times of the year when fishing for certain species of fish is not allowed. For example, if you're into coarse fishing, you won't be able to cast your line on any river from March 15th to June 15th each year. Keep these rules in mind to ensure a respectful and successful fishing experience.

Can I catch different fish species in the same location?

Yes! Fisheries, canals, rivers and the shoreline can offer several fish species all at once, with many attracted all to the same bait! This is where tactics and fishing tips come to play to reduce your chances of catching the wrong fish!

Fishing is a fun and rewarding activity that offers a way to connect with nature and potentially catch your next PB. With the right knowledge and gear, anglers can catch a wide variety of fish species in both freshwater and saltwater environments. By researching the fish species, choosing the right gear, knowing the location, using proper bait, and practising patience, anglers can increase their chances of catching their desired fish species, safely.