6 Fish to Look Out For

Elver -  young eel

1. Eel: more like a snake than a fish, the eel has the ability to wriggle across land to reach new waters – so why does it seem to be missing from central Leicestershire?

2. Bullhead: this big-headed little fish, also known as the “Miller’s Thumb”, is a protected species as it is rare in Europe, though it seems to be widely scattered in clean rivers in our counties.

3. Spined Stickleback: widely distributed in ponds and smaller rivers, the male stickleback turns bright red in the breeding season and builds a nest for his mate to lay her eggs in.

4. Pike: a highly efficient predator, common in larger rivers, the pike has been nick-named the freshwater shark.

5. Trout: trout need cool, clean, unpolluted waters, such as the Charnwood streams where they are found.

6. Common Carp: a large bottom-dweller which breaks the surface when it is breeding, carp are found in large lakes and rivers, and have been stocked at many sites for angling.