Freshwater

Asp

Aspio

Leuciscus aspius

FreshwaterBrackish

At a glance

Typical size

20–28 in and 3–8 lb.

Depth

2–15 ft.

Best time

Early morning and evening when they hunt on top.

Found in

8 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A long, silvery predatory carp with a blue-green back, a big mouth with a protruding lower jaw that fits into a notch in the upper jaw, no teeth in the mouth, and reddish lower fins.
Typical size: 20–28 in and 3–8 lb.
Maximum size: About 3 ft and up to about 25 lb.
Diet: Small fish such as bleak and young roach, which it hunts at the surface.
Behavior: The only true predator among European carp: it charges into bait schools at the surface in fast water, making big splashes, especially below dams and weirs.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Northern & Central Europe, Scandinavia & Iceland (Norway, Sweden, Denmark), Black Sea & Caspian, Russia, Mongolia & Kazakhstan, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Italy & Malta and Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries). Big rivers, reservoirs and lakes from the Elbe and southern Sweden and Finland to the Danube, Volga and Caspian basins; introduced in parts of Western Europe.
Habitat: Big rivers, reservoirs and lakes from the Elbe and southern Sweden and Finland to the Danube, Volga and Caspian basins; introduced in parts of Western Europe.
Depth: 2–15 ft.
Fishing depth: Near the surface in fast water.
Best season: Late spring to autumn; summer mornings below weirs and dams are classic.
Best time: Early morning and evening when they hunt on top.
Best tides: No tide; strong current helps.
Best weather / conditions: Warm, sunny days with flowing water.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Small dead fish (bleak) where bait is allowed.
Best artificial lures: Long-casting slim metal lures, small jerkbaits, surface stick baits and streamers.
Tackle setup: 8–9 ft medium spinning rod with a 3000–4000 reel for long casts.
Hook size: Small trebles or single hooks on lures.
Line: 10–15 lb braid.
Leader: 12–15 lb fluorocarbon.

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

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Lures Stickbaits Pliers

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Big rivers, reservoirs and lakes from the Elbe and southern Sweden and Finland to the Danube, Volga and Caspian basins; introduced in parts of Western Europe.
Rig up: 8–9 ft medium spinning rod with a 3000–4000 reel for long casts. 12–15 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Small dead fish (bleak) where bait is allowed. Lures: Long-casting slim metal lures, small jerkbaits, surface stick baits and streamers.
Fish it: Watch for surface splashes in the current, cast a slim metal lure well past the action and crank it back fast just under the surface.
Time it: Early morning and evening when they hunt on top. No tide; strong current helps.

Fishing techniques: Watch for surface splashes in the current, cast a slim metal lure well past the action and crank it back fast just under the surface.
BigJoe's tip: Speed matters: asp ignore slow lures. The faster you can retrieve, the more hits you get.
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: Edible but full of small Y-bones; best smoked or minced into fish cakes. Most anglers release it.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: No teeth, but sharp hooks in a fast-thrashing fish; use pliers.
Regulations: Closed seasons in spring and minimum sizes in many countries. It is listed under the EU Habitats Directive, and some countries protect it more strictly. Check local rules. 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: Mostly a catch-and-release sport fish; release it quickly.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits