🎣 Fishing & smoking

Identifying Freshwater Fish: The Most Common Species at a Glance

1 min read · Season: Year-round · June 8, 2026

Identifying Native Freshwater Fish

Pike — elongated body, duck-bill-shaped mouth. Greenish-grey mottled pattern. Minimum size: 50 cm.

Perch — distinctive green vertical stripes, red belly fins, spiny dorsal fin. Minimum size: 15–20 cm.

Zander — slimmer than pike, pale flesh. Minimum size: 40–50 cm.

Carp — sturdy body, large scales, barbels around the mouth.

Roach — silvery, red eyes and fins. The most common whitefish in Germany.

Tench — shimmering greenish-gold, very small scales, slimy skin.

Brown trout — reddish-brown with black and red spots. Needs cool water. Minimum size: 25–35 cm.

Important: minimum sizes vary by state — always check the fishing rights calendar!