Ebro & Inland Waters, Spain

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Widespread, wary and powerful, carp cruise shallow flats rooting up the bottom and are a growing target for sight fishing and European-style bait tactics. A hooked carp makes long, stubborn runs.

Wels Catfish

Silurus glanis

Europe's largest freshwater fish, a broad-headed giant catfish native to the Danube and central European rivers and famously introduced to Spain's Ebro, where it grows to record size. Mostly nocturnal and caught on heavy tackle, deadbaits and the traditional clonk. In the UK it is present only in stocked stillwaters.

Iberian Barbel

Luciobarbus comizo

⚠ IUCN Vulnerable. An Iberian endemic of the Ebro and other Spanish rivers; note that several close Luciobarbus relatives share its rivers. Fly fishing for it is a growing specialism — sight-fished fish in clear summer water. It is heavily affected by river regulation and water abstraction across its Spanish heartland.