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Fish in Germany
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Asp

Asp

Leuciscus aspius

DE: Rapfen

* · Not threatened
Maximum Size
100 cm
Waters
20

Distinguishing Features

Elongated body, protruding lower jaw, small scales, reddish pectoral and pelvic fins.

Habitat

Large rivers and lakes, predatory in open water.

Red List Germany

* · Not threatened

Not threatened in Germany.

Red List of freshwater fish:
Freyhof et al. 2023 · Rote-Liste-Zentrum
IUCN global:
LC · Least Concern

Fishing rules by federal state

Can I keep it?
Federal state Minimum size Closed season Notes
Brandenburg 40 cm 1 Apr – 30 Jun

Not yet researched here — see the ordinance of: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia

Statewide rules for anglers as of 24 Oct 2026, without guarantee. Clubs and waters can set stricter rules; the ordinance text is binding.

Waters

Baden-Württemberg Bavaria Berlin Brandenburg Bremen Hamburg Hesse Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Lower Saxony North Rhine-Westphalia Rhineland-Palatinate Saarland Saxony Saxony-Anhalt Schleswig-Holstein Thuringia Finowkanal Oder-Havel-Kanal Main-Donau-Kanal Mittellandkanal Bodensee Ammersee Starnberger See Rhein Elbe Donau Oder Weser Ems Main Mosel Neckar Havel Spree Saale Isar Inn Chiemsee Müritz Steinhuder Meer Scharmützelsee Schwielochsee Senftenberger See

Map: Natural Earth (public domain); © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)

Expected occurrence, modelled from each water's fish zones, habitat type and the federal states the species lives in, and checked against GBIF records — not a record of observations.