Freshwater Β· Spring and autumn peaks; best from April to June and September to October
Wuchang Bream
Megalobrama amblycephala
A China-endemic bream from the middle-Yangtze lakes around Liangzi Lake, now stocked nationwide and famous as Wuchang fish. Yangtze natural lakes are under the fishing ban, so sport fishing is in stocked waters. It is a different genus from the white amur bream.
Seasons Β· Peak
Identifying features
- Very deep, diamond-shaped compressed body with a high back
- Small blunt head with a small terminal mouth β the 'blunt head' of its Chinese name
- Silvery-grey flanks with a dark vertical band behind the gill cover in many fish
- Long anal fin and a distinctly forked tail
- A fleshy keel on the belly between the pelvic fins and the vent
Habits
- Largely herbivorous β grazes soft water plants, algae and detritus
- Native to middle-Yangtze lakes such as Liangzi Lake; now stocked across China
- Feeds in small shoals along weed edges and over soft lake bottoms
- Natural Yangtze lake populations are covered by the fishing ban β fish stocked waters only
- Bites are shy and slow; the float rises gently as the fish lifts the bait
Distribution
Regional coverage expanding
Where to find them
- Weed edges in stocked lakes and reservoirs
- Soft-bottom bays with submerged plants
- Gentle slopes near inflows in stocked waters
Where they live
How to catch them
ε°ι bottom fishing Lake
Rig: Fine float rig fished on the bottom over a lightly baited spot, herb-flavoured dough on small hooks
Bait/lure: Grass and herb dough baits, corn
Key tip: Wuchang bites lift the float slowly β wait for a steady rise before striking.
Float fishing over weed edges Lake
Rig: Traditional float rig set just off bottom along weed edges, small dough or corn baits
Bait/lure: Soft dough, sweet corn, grass tips
Key tip: Fish the first and last hours of light when shoals move inshore to graze.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Light to medium-light ε°ι pole or spinning rod
- Line: 4-8 lb mono
- Terminal: Fine floats, small hooks size 6-10, light shot
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 10-14 in and 1-2 lb; large fish to about 4 lb
On the table
Excellent β the celebrated Wuchang fish of Hubei cuisine, traditionally steamed whole; fine bones are the only drawback.
Similar species
White Amur BreamWhite amur bream is a different genus (Parabramis) β longer-bodied and less deep, with a sharper profile; wuchang bream (Megalobrama) is rounder, deeper and blunter-headed
Black Amur BreamBlack amur bream is the same genus but darker, larger-mouthed and more predatory in larger sizes; wuchang bream is paler, smaller-mouthed and mainly herbivorousRegulations 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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