Freshwater Β· Year-round; spring and autumn peaks
Roach
Rutilus rutilus
The roach is Europe's most-caught fish by numbers and the benchmark 'specimen' coarse fish β a 2 lb roach is a fish of a lifetime. Red-eyed and red-finned and always in shoals, it is everywhere from canals to reservoirs and feeds all year, including in mid-winter.
Seasons Β· Peak
Identifying features
- Silvery flanks with a blue-green back and bright red eyes
- Red-orange pelvic, anal and tail fins; dorsal fin level with pelvics
- Terminal mouth, not upturned β the separator from rudd
- Scales large with dark edges; body moderately deep
- Dorsal fin origin directly above the pelvic fins
Habits
- Shoals constantly; often the most numerous fish in the water
- Feeds at all depths, from bottom bloodworm to surface insects
- Spawns in late spring over weed and submerged plants
- A key prey fish for perch, pike and zander
- Feeds through winter, making it the classic cold-season target
Distribution
Where to find them
- Canal lengths and harbour basins across Europe
- Slow river glides under trees
- Deep lake basins in winter
Where they live
How to catch them
Waggler and float fishing on lakes and canals Lake
Rig: Waggler or pole, size 16-18 hook, bait presented at varying depths with loose-fed maggots
Bait/lure: Maggots, casters or bread punch fed loose
Key tip: Vary the depth until the shoal is found; roach often sit in mid-water over the feed.
Stick-float trotting on rivers River
Rig: Stick float on a 13 ft rod, size 16-18 hook, trotted down the glide with constant line mending
Bait/lure: Hemp feed with a maggot or caster on the hook
Key tip: Feed hemp little and often and trot the bait exactly down the feed line.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: 12-13 ft light float rod
- Line: 2-4 lb mono
- Terminal: Size 14-20 fine-wire hooks, wagglers and stick floats
Recommended gear for this species
Rod Β· Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
β US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies Β· Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
β US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library β never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 4-12 oz (0.1-0.35 kg), 6-12 in (15-30 cm); specimen fish over 2 lb (0.9 kg), to 18 in (46 cm)
On the table
Fair β soft, very bony; eaten in eastern Europe, usually released elsewhere.
Similar species
Regulations vary by area and can change in-season β always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide β
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