Species Guides
UK Fish Species Guides
Everything you need to know about 15 popular UK fish species: how to catch them, the best baits and tackle, seasonal calendars, UK records, and where to find them.
Freshwater
Coarse Fish
The UK\u2019s most popular freshwater species, from carp and pike to roach and tench.
Carp
Season: May–October
Bait: Boilies, sweetcorn
Pike
Season: October–March
Bait: Deadbaits (smelt, mackerel)
Trout
Season: March–September
Bait: Flies (nymphs, dry flies)
Perch
Season: September–March
Bait: Small lures, drop shot
Tench
Season: May–September
Bait: Sweetcorn, worms
Barbel
Season: June–November
Bait: Pellets, boilies
Roach
Season: October–March (specimen), year-round (general)
Bait: Maggots, casters
Chub
Season: October–March (peak), year-round
Bait: Bread, cheese
Bream
Season: May–September
Bait: Worms, maggots
Saltwater
Sea Fish
Shore and boat species from bass and mackerel to cod and salmon.
Sea Bass
Season: April–November (peak June–September)
Bait: Ragworm, sandeel
Sea Bream
Season: June–October (peak July–August)
Bait: Ragworm tipped with squid, peeler crab
Sea Trout
Season: June–September (peak July–August)
Bait: Flies (surface lures, wet flies)
Mackerel
Season: May–October (peak July–August)
Bait: Mackerel feathers (sabiki rigs), spinners
Cod
Season: October–March
Bait: Lugworm, peeler crab
Salmon
Season: February–November (varies by river)
Bait: Flies (Ally’s Shrimp, Cascade
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