Angling records in the United Kingdom


This is an impartial and comprehensive record list of 321 British record fish caught in freshwater, past and present, involving 63 species/sub-species of fish caught using the traditional angling method of rod and line. Records include the angler, species, weight, date, venue, also referenced with a recognizable publication. The list is intended to include all categories of fish caught by anglers, that enter freshwater including and some migratory sea fish. The time since last record fish was caught is.

Record ornamental sub-species

Anglers who have held multiple British records

Ambiguous record claims (no venue given / not accepted / expunged)

There have been many ambiguous record claims over the years. Here are a few of those that never made the record list:
  • 5 oz 8 dr bleak caught by David Selley on the River Lark 2017. Rejected as a hybrid by BRFC.
  • . Evidence destroyed by fire.
  • . No date/also method of capture unknown.
  • . No record claimed - angler wanted no publicity.
  • . Not authenticated with photo or body scales for examination.
  • . Assume no DNA presented.
  • . Angler's name unknown and no record claimed.
  • . No independent witnesses.
  • . Not weighed.
  • . Captor ate the evidence with chips and no independent witnesses.
  • . Not weighed.
  • . No confirmation this fish was caught by rod and line method.
  • . Assumed reason is lack of independent witnesses.
  • 70 lb pike found dead at River Endrick/Loch Lomond in 1934. Not caught by rod and line.
  • 5 lb 2 oz rudd caught by Adrian Cannon from a fenland drain 2012. No independent witnesses.
  • 69 lb 12 oz salmon caught by William Home, 8th Earl of Home from the River Tweed in 1730.

Video footage of chub and carp records

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Non-indigenous (invasive) alien species

These fish are classed as a significant risk to our native species and if caught must be removed immediately to protect the wider environment and should be reported to the Environment Agency. Anyone found introducing non indigenous species to any external body of UK water will be breaching the Import of Live Fish (England and Wales) Act 1980 and will be prosecuted. The fish in question include: black bullhead catfish, doctor fish, fathead minnow, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, Siberian sturgeon, sterlet, topmouth gudgeon, sunbleak, and walleye.