What sea fish are in season in the UK?

Most UK sea fish move inshore with the seasons. Summer brings mackerel, bream, wrasse, smoothhounds and rays close to the shore; autumn and winter are the time for cod, whiting and dabs. The calendar shows the typical best months for shore anglers in England and Wales. Timing varies around the coast and from year to year: summer fish often show later in the north and Scotland, and water temperature matters more than the date.

In season now: November

Month-by-month calendar

Ballan WrasseApr–Oct · Rocks, harbour walls
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Black BreamMay–Sep · Rock edges, piers (south)
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Blonde RayApr–Oct · Deeper beaches and rocks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
BrillMay–Sep · Sandy beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Bull HussMar–Nov · Rocky ground
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – quieter
CoalfishSep–Mar · Rocks, piers (north)
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
CodOct–Mar · Beaches, piers, rocks
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – quieter
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Conger EelAll year · Piers, harbours, rocks
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Corkwing WrasseApr–Oct · Rocks, harbour walls
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Cuckoo WrasseMay–Sep · Deeper rocks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
DabOct–Apr · Sandy beaches
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – quieter
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Dover SoleMay–Oct · Sandy and muddy beaches at night
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
DragonetMay–Sep · Sandy beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
European BassApr–Nov · Beaches, rocks, estuaries
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
FlounderOct–Mar · Estuaries, beaches
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
GarfishMay–Sep · Piers, rocks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Gilthead BreamJun–Oct · Estuaries (south)
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Golden Grey MulletJun–Oct · Surf beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Greater WeeverJun–Sep · Beaches, piers
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Grey GurnardMay–Oct · Beaches, piers
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
HaddockOct–Mar · Deep shore marks (north and Scotland)
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – quieter
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
HerringOct–Feb · Piers, harbours
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – quieter
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Lesser Spotted DogfishAll year · Everywhere
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Lesser WeeverJun–Sep · Sandy beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
LingOct–Mar · Deep rocks, wrecks (shore: rare)
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – quieter
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Long-spined Sea ScorpionAll year · Rocks, harbours
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
MackerelMay–Oct · Piers, harbours, rocks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
PlaiceApr–Sep · Sandy beaches, sandbanks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
PollackApr–Nov · Rocks, harbours
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – quieter
Poor CodAll year · Rough ground
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
PoutingAll year · Piers, rough ground
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Red GurnardMay–Oct · Rocks, beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
ScadJun–Oct · Piers, harbours (often at night)
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Sea TroutMar–Oct · Estuaries, beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
ShannyAll year · Rock pools, harbours
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Small-eyed RayApr–Oct · Surf beaches (south-west)
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
SmoothhoundMay–Sep · Beaches, estuaries
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Spotted RayApr–Oct · Beaches, rocks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
SpurdogSep–Mar · Deeper rocks and beaches
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Starry SmoothhoundMay–Sep · Beaches, estuaries
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Thick-lipped Grey MulletMay–Oct · Harbours, estuaries
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Thin-lipped MulletJun–Oct · Estuaries
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Thornback RayMar–Oct · Beaches, estuaries
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Three-bearded RocklingOct–Mar · Rocks, piers
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – in season
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – quieter
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season
Tompot BlennyApr–Oct · Harbour walls, rocks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
TopeMay–Sep · Deep beaches, rocks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Tub GurnardJun–Oct · Beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
TurbotMay–Sep · Sandy beaches, sandbanks
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – quieter
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
Undulate RayApr–Oct · Southern beaches
1. JJan – quieter
2. FFeb – quieter
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – in season
5. MMay – in season
6. JJun – in season
7. JJul – in season
8. AAug – in season
9. SSep – in season
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – quieter
12. DDec – quieter
WhitingOct–Feb · Beaches, piers
1. JJan – in season
2. FFeb – in season
3. MMar – quieter
4. AApr – quieter
5. MMay – quieter
6. JJun – quieter
7. JJul – quieter
8. AAug – quieter
9. SSep – quieter
10. OOct – in season
11. NNov – in season
12. DDec – in season

By month

January: Coalfish, Cod, Conger Eel, Dab, Flounder, Haddock, Herring, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Ling, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Poor Cod, Pouting, Shanny, Spurdog, Three-bearded Rockling, Whiting
February: Coalfish, Cod, Conger Eel, Dab, Flounder, Haddock, Herring, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Ling, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Poor Cod, Pouting, Shanny, Spurdog, Three-bearded Rockling, Whiting
March: Bull Huss, Coalfish, Cod, Conger Eel, Dab, Haddock, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Ling, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Poor Cod, Pouting, Shanny, Spurdog, Thornback Ray, Three-bearded Rockling
April: Ballan Wrasse, Blonde Ray, Bull Huss, Conger Eel, Corkwing Wrasse, Dab, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Plaice, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Shanny, Small-eyed Ray, Spotted Ray, Thornback Ray, Tompot Blenny, Undulate Ray
May: Ballan Wrasse, Black Bream, Blonde Ray, Brill, Bull Huss, Conger Eel, Corkwing Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Dover Sole, Dragonet, European Bass, Garfish, Grey Gurnard, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Mackerel, Plaice, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Red Gurnard, Sea Trout, Shanny, Small-eyed Ray, Smoothhound, Spotted Ray, Starry Smoothhound, Thick-lipped Grey Mullet, Thin-lipped Mullet, Thornback Ray, Tompot Blenny, Tope, Turbot, Undulate Ray
June: Ballan Wrasse, Black Bream, Blonde Ray, Brill, Bull Huss, Conger Eel, Corkwing Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Dover Sole, Dragonet, European Bass, Garfish, Gilthead Bream, Golden Grey Mullet, Greater Weever, Grey Gurnard, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Lesser Weever, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Mackerel, Plaice, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Red Gurnard, Scad, Sea Trout, Shanny, Small-eyed Ray, Smoothhound, Spotted Ray, Starry Smoothhound, Thick-lipped Grey Mullet, Thin-lipped Mullet, Thornback Ray, Tompot Blenny, Tope, Tub Gurnard, Turbot, Undulate Ray
July: Ballan Wrasse, Black Bream, Blonde Ray, Brill, Bull Huss, Conger Eel, Corkwing Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Dover Sole, Dragonet, European Bass, Garfish, Gilthead Bream, Golden Grey Mullet, Greater Weever, Grey Gurnard, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Lesser Weever, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Mackerel, Plaice, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Red Gurnard, Scad, Sea Trout, Shanny, Small-eyed Ray, Smoothhound, Spotted Ray, Starry Smoothhound, Thick-lipped Grey Mullet, Thin-lipped Mullet, Thornback Ray, Tompot Blenny, Tope, Tub Gurnard, Turbot, Undulate Ray
August: Ballan Wrasse, Black Bream, Blonde Ray, Brill, Bull Huss, Conger Eel, Corkwing Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Dover Sole, Dragonet, European Bass, Garfish, Gilthead Bream, Golden Grey Mullet, Greater Weever, Grey Gurnard, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Lesser Weever, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Mackerel, Plaice, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Red Gurnard, Scad, Sea Trout, Shanny, Small-eyed Ray, Smoothhound, Spotted Ray, Starry Smoothhound, Thick-lipped Grey Mullet, Thin-lipped Mullet, Thornback Ray, Tompot Blenny, Tope, Tub Gurnard, Turbot, Undulate Ray
September: Ballan Wrasse, Black Bream, Blonde Ray, Brill, Bull Huss, Coalfish, Conger Eel, Corkwing Wrasse, Cuckoo Wrasse, Dover Sole, Dragonet, European Bass, Flounder, Garfish, Gilthead Bream, Golden Grey Mullet, Greater Weever, Grey Gurnard, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Lesser Weever, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Mackerel, Plaice, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Red Gurnard, Scad, Sea Trout, Shanny, Small-eyed Ray, Smoothhound, Spotted Ray, Spurdog, Starry Smoothhound, Thick-lipped Grey Mullet, Thin-lipped Mullet, Thornback Ray, Tompot Blenny, Tope, Tub Gurnard, Turbot, Undulate Ray
October: Ballan Wrasse, Blonde Ray, Bull Huss, Coalfish, Cod, Conger Eel, Corkwing Wrasse, Dab, Dover Sole, European Bass, Flounder, Gilthead Bream, Golden Grey Mullet, Grey Gurnard, Haddock, Herring, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Ling, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Mackerel, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Red Gurnard, Scad, Sea Trout, Shanny, Small-eyed Ray, Spotted Ray, Spurdog, Thick-lipped Grey Mullet, Thin-lipped Mullet, Thornback Ray, Three-bearded Rockling, Tompot Blenny, Tub Gurnard, Undulate Ray, Whiting
November: Bull Huss, Coalfish, Cod, Conger Eel, Dab, Flounder, Haddock, Herring, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Ling, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Pollack, Poor Cod, Pouting, Shanny, Spurdog, Three-bearded Rockling, Whiting
December: Coalfish, Cod, Conger Eel, Dab, Flounder, Haddock, Herring, Lesser Spotted Dogfish, Ling, Long-spined Sea Scorpion, Poor Cod, Pouting, Shanny, Spurdog, Three-bearded Rockling, Whiting

Sea fishing marks · Size and bag rules · Sea species