The wels catfish is the largest freshwater fish in the British Isles and the largest catfish species in Europe. It is unmistakable: a long, scaleless body, a broad flat head, a massive underslung mouth fringed with barbels, and tiny eyes that are almost redundant in a fish that hunts almost entirely by vibration and smell. In mainland Europe, wels regularly exceed 100kg. In the UK, where the species is non-native and established in a smaller number of specialist venues, fish over 50kg (110lb) have been reliably recorded.
The wels catfish is controversial in conservation terms. It is a non-native predator, introduced to UK still waters over the past 50 years, and in waters where it becomes established it can have significant impacts on other species. It is not present in natural rivers in the UK – almost all UK catfish are found in commercial fisheries, former gravel pits, and specialist venues that specifically stock and manage them.
Identification
There is no fish in the UK that can be confused with a wels catfish. Distinguishing features:
Body: Long, muscular, scaleless. Dark olive-green to black above, fading to cream or yellow on the belly. Skin is smooth and slimy, producing copious mucus. The body has no scales and no lateral line of scales – the sensory system relies on lateral line cells embedded in the skin.
Head: Broad, flat, and very wide in relation to the body. The head is a significant proportion of overall body weight.
Mouth: A massive, wide, upturned mouth with no teeth as such but with rough bony plates that grip prey. Two long barbels extend from the upper jaw (up to 50cm or longer on large fish). Four shorter barbels on the lower jaw.
Fins: A very long anal fin runs along most of the underside. The dorsal fin is tiny – barely more than a raised spine. The tail fin is relatively small for such a large fish.
Size range in UK: Most UK catfish run 20-60lb (9-27kg). Specimen fish over 80lb (36kg) are present in the best UK waters. The British record is over 100lb.
Distribution in the UK
Wels catfish are not native to the UK. The species is native to central and eastern Europe and extends into parts of Asia. Introductions to UK still waters began in the late 19th century at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire, where the Duke of Bedford introduced fish from Germany in the 1880s. Further introductions followed in the 20th century.
The current UK population is found in:
- Commercial and syndicate fisheries that specifically stock and manage catfish
- Some natural and former gravel pit still waters in the Midlands and East Anglia where introductions have been made
- River Thames and connecting waters (limited population from escapes)
- Certain Norfolk and Suffolk still waters
The wels does not appear to have naturalised in UK rivers in any significant way, unlike on mainland Europe (where the Ebro in Spain and the Po in Italy hold enormous populations). This may be related to UK water temperatures – the species requires warmth to breed successfully, and UK summers may be marginal.
Notable UK catfish venues include:
- Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire
- Linear Fisheries waters, Oxfordshire
- Horseshoe Lake, Gloucestershire
- Various specialist catfish syndicates in the Midlands and East Anglia
Most catfish venues require membership or day ticket purchase, and many operate cat-specific rules (barbless hooks, large unhooking mats, water always present during handling).
Behaviour and Habitat
The wels catfish is overwhelmingly nocturnal, particularly in UK summer conditions. In daylight, fish tend to be less active and rest in deep water, beneath submerged structures, or in dense weed. Activity typically increases as light fades and peaks through the night.
Temperature: The wels is a warm-water species. Below 10°C it becomes very slow and may not feed at all. In UK conditions, the productive catfish season runs roughly from late May through to October. Summer (June-August) is peak activity.
Feeding: The catfish is an ambush predator and opportunistic feeder. It locates prey primarily through its barbels (sensitive to vibration and smell) and lateral line. Food items include:
- Other fish (including carp, bream, roach, and most other coarse species)
- Frogs and amphibians
- Ducks and waterfowl (large specimens)
- Crayfish
- Large worms and invertebrates
- Carrion
Catfish are capable of taking prey items of considerable size. There are documented instances of large catfish taking waterfowl on the surface.
Location in venue: Deep holes, submerged trees, bridge arches, dam walls, and any heavy bottom structure. During warm nights, catfish move into the margins and shallower water to hunt.
Fishing Methods
Livebaiting
Presenting a live fish (roach, bream, or other species) on a running rig at depth or close to bottom structures is one of the most consistently effective catfish methods. Check local fishery rules: many UK venues prohibit livebait fishing or restrict the species that can be used as livebait.
Deadbaiting
A large deadbait (sea fish such as mackerel, herring, or sardine, or a freshwater fish) fished on or near bottom. Oily sea fish are particularly effective as they release scent over a large area. A running rig with 60-80lb wire trace (or heavy mono) is standard.
Pellets and boilies
Many UK commercial catfish waters have fish that respond well to large pellets and boilies. A 20-30mm pellet on a large hair rig, or a boilie, on bottom in a known catfish area. This is the approach most closely related to carp fishing and is productive on waters with regular feeding.
Surface fishing
In warm evenings, catfish can sometimes be induced to take prey from the surface or near-surface. A large buoyant bait (piece of bread, dead frog, or large floating plug) fished with a slow retrieve can provoke a surface strike. This is a visual and exciting method when it works.
Vibration lures
Large soft plastic lures that produce significant vibration (paddle-tail swimbaits, large rubber lures) attract catfish through lateral line stimulation. Worked slowly and close to bottom structure. More commonly used in mainland Europe but works on UK venues.
Tackle requirements
Catfish require substantially heavier tackle than any other UK freshwater target:
- Rod: 3.5-5lb test curve carp or specialist catfish rod
- Reel: Carp-sized reel with at least 300m of 40lb mono or heavy braid
- Leader/trace: 60-80lb wire or heavy fluorocarbon (to resist the rough bony mouth and long fight)
- Hooks: Large, strong pattern (size 2/0-6/0) rated for heavy use
- Landing equipment: Specialist catfish sack, very large unhooking mat, possibly two anglers required for fish over 30lb
Size and British Records
The British record wels catfish stands at 144lb (65.3kg) as of recent years – verify the current record with the BRFC as this may have been updated. The record was set by Jason White at Withy Pool, Bedfordshire.
A 50lb (23kg) catfish is a very good fish on any UK water. A 30lb (13.6kg) fish is a realistic target on stocked commercial venues. For specialist catfish anglers targeting the best UK syndicate waters, 80-100lb fish are achievable goals.
Conservation and Legal Status
The wels catfish is classified as an invasive non-native species (INNS) in England by the Environment Agency. This means:
- It is illegal to release wels catfish into any waters in England without a specific licence from Natural England
- Moving catfish between waters without authorisation is also potentially an offence
- Catfish already present in a water can be fished for normally under a standard rod licence
- The EA may require catfish to be killed (not returned) if removed from certain waters – always check the rules of your specific venue and any EA byelaws for the area
This legal position is important. Releasing catfish from one venue to another (even if both venues already hold catfish) may require Environment Agency authorisation.
Regulations for Catfish Anglers
Rod licence: Standard EA rod licence required.
Close season: Catfish are subject to the close season on rivers in England (15 March to 15 June). Most UK catfish venues are still waters with no statutory close season.
Venue rules: Specialist catfish venues typically impose specific rules: minimum unhooking mat size, maximum time out of water, mandatory water in bucket for gill wetting, weight verification procedures, photographic requirements. Follow all venue rules carefully.
Barbless hooks: Required at most commercial fisheries. Even where not required, barbless hooks are strongly recommended for catfish – the bony mouth makes barbless hook removal much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the British record for wels catfish?
The British record wels catfish was over 140lb as of recent records – verify the current figure with the British Record Fish Committee as it may have changed. The record has been broken multiple times in recent years as fish in specialist UK waters continue to grow.
Do wels catfish attack humans?
No. There are no documented cases of wels catfish attacking humans in the UK. Catfish in mainland European rivers have been filmed taking pigeons from river banks, but this behaviour has not been documented at UK venues. Very large catfish may grab at a wading angler’s feet, but this is defensive investigation, not predatory attack.
Can I keep a wels catfish?
Wels catfish are an invasive non-native species in England. They must not be transferred to other waters without EA authorisation. Most UK catfish venues require immediate return in water, not into keepnets. Killing catfish is generally not the aim of catfish angling in the UK – the fish are managed specimens of considerable value to the fishery.
What is the best bait for wels catfish in the UK?
Oily sea fish deadbaits (mackerel, herring, sardine) are a consistently reliable choice on most UK catfish venues. Large pellets and boilies produce results on commercial venues with conditioned fish. Lobworm on warm summer nights in the margins is a classic approach. Surface presentations work on warm evenings.
How do you handle a large wels catfish safely?
Use a very large, padded unhooking mat (minimum 90cm x 60cm for large fish, larger for fish over 30lb). Have water in a large bucket to wet the gills if the fish is out of water for any length of time. For fish over 30lb, two anglers are strongly advisable for safe handling. Keep the fish low to the mat at all times – never hold a catfish vertically by the jaw as this can damage the spine. Photograph quickly and return to the water as soon as possible.