Freshwater

Rudd

Gardí

Scardinius erythrophthalmus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

6–12 in.

Depth

1–10 ft.

Best time

Warm afternoons and evenings.

Found in

12 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A deep-bodied, golden-bronze fish with bright blood-red fins, an upturned mouth for feeding at the surface, and a dorsal fin set well behind the pelvic fins (roach have the dorsal right above them).
Typical size: 6–12 in.
Maximum size: About 18 in and over 4 lb.
Diet: Insects at the surface, plants, snails and small crustaceans.
Behavior: Shoals near the surface around reeds and lily pads on warm days.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from United Kingdom & Ireland, France, Northern & Central Europe, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), Italy & Malta, Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Black Sea & Caspian, Russia, Mongolia & Kazakhstan, Northeast Lakes & Rivers and New Zealand. Weedy lakes, ponds, canals and slow rivers across Europe to the Caspian; introduced to the U.S. Northeast and New Zealand, where it is considered a pest.
Habitat: Weedy lakes, ponds, canals and slow rivers across Europe to the Caspian; introduced to the U.S. Northeast and New Zealand, where it is considered a pest.
Depth: 1–10 ft.
Fishing depth: Surface to mid-water.
Best season: Summer.
Best time: Warm afternoons and evenings.
Best tides: No tide.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, sunny, calm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Feeder Hooks Float Net

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Weedy lakes, ponds, canals and slow rivers across Europe to the Caspian; introduced to the U.S. Northeast and New Zealand, where it is considered a pest.
Rig up: Light float rod or 4–5 weight fly rod. 2–3 lb hooklength.
Pick your bait: Floating bread, maggots and casters fished near the surface. Lures: Small dry flies.
Fish it: Throw a few floating bread pieces near the reeds and fish bread or maggots just under the surface with a light float.
Time it: Warm afternoons and evenings. No tide.

Fishing techniques: Throw a few floating bread pieces near the reeds and fish bread or maggots just under the surface with a light float.
BigJoe's tip: Rudd spook easily in clear water; long casts and fine line help.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Bony; usually released or used as bait.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Harmless.
Regulations: A license plus local permit in Europe; in New Zealand and parts of the U.S. it's an unwanted species that must not be moved or stocked. Freshwater fishing in Europe always needs a permit: a national or regional license where one exists (for example the rod licence in England and Wales or the French carte de pêche) plus a permit or day ticket from the club, lake or river owner.
Conservation: Never move rudd to new waters.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits