Wels Catfish

Wels catfish is the largest freshwater fish in Europe. Has a massive, scaleless body with long whiskers. Reaches 150 kg and over 2 m in length.

An apex predator. Feeds on fish, frogs, crayfish, waterfowl, and rodents. Hunts from ambush or actively patrols for prey. Will eat virtually anything that moves.

Most active at 18–28 °C. A strictly nocturnal predator. Best bites come on warm summer nights. Activity surges sharply before thunderstorms. Goes dormant in winter in deep holes.

Holds in deep holes, undercut banks, beneath snags and submerged trees. Large specimens claim the best ambush points and do not share territory.

Caught on large live bait, worm bundles, crayfish tail, pellets, and chicken meat. Bottom rigs, clonk (surface lure device), and spinning with large soft plastics. The clonk mimics feeding sounds to attract catfish.

For trophy catfish (30+ kg): clonk fishing from a boat over deep holes. Live bait (0.5–1 kg) on a subsurface float. Heavy tackle is mandatory — braided line 0.4+ mm, hooks 6/0–10/0. The fight can last over an hour.