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What to eat in Europe? Top 38 European Freshwater Fishes

Last update: Wed Apr 9 2025
Top 38 European Freshwater Fishes
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Best European Freshwater Fish Types

01
Norwegian Salmon
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In Norway, Atlantic salmon takes up around 40% of all seafood that's exported from the country. Most of it isn't caught in the wild – the salmon is farmed in giant tanks that are moored off the coast. In order of decreasing amount, there is fresh whole salmon, frozen whole salmon, frozen salmon fillets, and fresh salmon fillets that are exported across the world.


The great versatility, flavor, and high nutrient content are the reasons why Norwegian salmon rose to fame and it's popularity increased worldwide since the 1970s, when the world's first successfully farmed salmon was placed into a pen in a fjord outside Trodheim. 
02
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Scottish farmed salmon belongs to the Atlantic salmon species. They are silver in color, firm to the touch (due to strong currents which ensure that they are constantly swimming), with a fibrous to smooth to even texture. After harvesting, the salmon is rapidly chilled, which is why it has a unique, consistent flavor.


Scottish salmon is very health beneficial, and acts as a source of Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. It goes well with single malt whiskeys, lemon and creme fraiche.

03

Trout

OHRID MUNICIPALITY, North Macedonia and  2 more regions
4.4
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Ohrid trout is an endangered salmonoid fish that is praised for its delicately-flavored pink flesh. It inhabits the waters of Lake Ohrid, shared by Albania and North Macedonia, and the rivers leading to and from the lake. Although it is held in high esteem, it would be a crime against nature to eat the trout.


Due to overfishing, poaching, and poor conservation methods, as of recently, the fish has been in danger of extinction. Four varieties of the trout have been distinguished, including Salmo balcanicus, Salmo lumi, Salmo aphelios, and Salmo letnica
04

Carp

NUREMBERG, Germany
4.3
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Known affectionately by many as the 'Franconian pond cow', carp is a Franconian national dish. In many areas, carp is bred in ponds and prepared in a number of traditional restaurants, usually either cooked in fat or in fish broth. It is quite popular as a food during Lent.


The fish is very tasty, and can be prepared in many different ways; filleted, steamed for casseroles, boiled in soups, etc. In recent years, carp fillet in the form of crispy 'carp chips' has become a highly sought-after menu item. In honor of the carp, the region of Franconia has even developed a special bike path: the Franconian carp bike path runs through a landscape dotted with carp ponds, and provides cyclists with a great deal of information on fisheries and aquaculture in Franconia.

05
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Scottish white salmon are silver, firm-fleshed fish beloning to the species Salmo Salar and caught, classified and boxed in ice on Scottish shores. Their flesh is deep pink in color, they have perfect markings without distortion on their tails and they smell very fresh, are moist and have a full, complex flavor.


Scottish wild salmon can weigh from 1,5 kg to 20 kg. They must be caught in an environmentally friendly way, either with a net and coble, cruives or bag net, haaf and poke nets, and when sold, the salmon can be fresh, whole or boxed in ice.

06

Trout

GEGHARKUNIK PROVINCE, Armenia
4.0
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Sevani ischkhan is an endemic variety of trout found only in the Armenian lake Sevan. This salmonid fish is endangered, due to changes in the lake's level and the introduction of non-native fish species into the lake during the Soviet period.


The trout has a distinctive flavor and a color that typically ranges from pink to yellow and is determined by its nutrition and the microclimate. The fish is considered a delicacy, and it is usually poached and flavored with bay leaves, fresh tarragon, and peppercorns. 
07

Freshwater Fish

CARNIKAVA MUNICIPALITY, Latvia
3.9
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Carnikavas nēģi refers to river lampreys, both fresh and cooked in aspic. River lampreys are caught in the river Gauja in the municipality of Carnikava between August and February. They are fed in the wild and have a body long between 23 to 52 cm and are dark blue-green, blue-gray or green-brown.


In comparison to fish from other rivers, they are clean and contain no sand. Lampreys are cooked over a coal fire and set in aspic in a 70% to 30 % ratio. Since the 17th century, lamprey fishing has been one of the main sources of income in the area. 
08

Carp

SIBERIAN REGION, Russia and  2 more countries
3.8
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Grass carp (lat. Ctenopharyngodon idella) is a species of freshwater fish native to rivers and lakes in eastern Asia, from northern Vietnam to the Amur River on the Siberia-China border. Grass carp are large, with elongated, torpedo-shaped bodies.


They usually have silvery to olive-green coloring on the back, fading to white on the belly. Adult fish can reach significant sizes, often measuring over a meter in length and weighing up to 40 kg (88 lbs) or more. True to its name, the grass carp primarily feeds on aquatic plants. 
09

Salmon

CLARE ISLAND, Ireland
3.6
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Clare Island is located in outer Clew Bay, County Mayo where salmon of the species Salmo salar thrive in the wild pristine Atlantic waters. The salmon are reared in large cages where they are stocked at very low densities that allow them to follow their natural behavior and swim freely.


Uniquely, they are fed daily with organic feed based on natural ingredients from sustainable sources and free from GMO. This salmon, which is certified as organic, is well-known for its firm flesh with low fat, and a color that reaches 14-15 on the Roche scale. 
10

Vendace

LAKE PURUVESI, Finland
3.6
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Puruveden muikku is the vendace of the species Coregonus albula caught in the clear waters of the Puruvesi lake basin situated in the north-eastern part of Lake Saimaa using seine nets, fyke nets, and net fishing.


Pruvesi has been known as a fishing area since the 14th century and the art of locating and catching the fish has been handed down from one generation to another. Puruveden muikku has a distinctive silvery color due to the exceptional clarity of Puruvesi waters. 
11
Freshwater Fish
GEGHARKUNIK PROVINCE, Armenia
3.1
12
Carp
SOUTH BOHEMIA, Czech Republic
2.8
13
Carp
LESSER POLAND VOIVODESHIP, Poland
2.7
14
Carp
UPPER PALATINATE, Germany
n/a
15
16
Vendace
KOILLISMAA, Finland
n/a
17
Trout
BLACK FOREST, Germany
n/a
18
Eel
CATALONIA, Spain
n/a
19
Freshwater Fish
BAVARIA, Germany
n/a
20
21
Freshwater Fish
SIBERIAN REGION, Russia  and  one more region
n/a
22
Carp
AISCHGRUND, Germany
n/a
23
Trout
GEGHARKUNIK PROVINCE, Armenia
n/a
24
Freshwater Fish
RUSSIA  and  one more country
n/a
25
Carp
MONTENEGRO
n/a
26
27
Trout
SHIRAK PROVINCE, Armenia
n/a
28
Carp
SOUTH MORAVIA, Czech Republic
n/a
29
30
Carp
SZEGED DISTRICT, Hungary
n/a
31
Char
AUSSEERLAND, Austria
n/a
32
Trout
AUSSEERLAND, Austria
n/a
33
Freshwater Fish
LOUGH NEAGH, Northern Ireland
n/a
34
35
36
Carp
SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, Germany
n/a
37
38
Eel
LOUGH NEAGH, Northern Ireland
n/a

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European Freshwater Fishes