Ruffe
The ruffe is a small, bottom-hugging member of the perch family that lives in rivers and lakes across the Netherlands.
It rarely tops 100 g, so it's not a target species in its own right — but it shows up regularly on worm rigs fished near the bottom, and it's a useful indicator that you're fishing the right depth and substrate.
In the Biesbosch area it was historically the dominant bottom fish before round goby arrived.
Scientific Name: Gymnocephalus cernua
Also known as Pope, Pos (Dutch)
- Olive-brown to golden-brown back with blotchy dark speckles; pale yellowish-white belly — pattern similar to a walleye but on a much smaller fish.
- Two dorsal fins that run together: the front section is stiff and spiny, the rear is soft — the spines make it prickly to handle and unpleasant for predators to swallow.
- Short, triangular head with a large mouth relative to body size; large eyes suited to low-light, bottom-level feeding.
- Typical fish run 10–15 cm and weigh 20–80 g; anything over 100 g is a good one. Maximum length around 25 cm.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the Netherlands; found across the country's river systems, canals, and lowland lakes — a natural part of the Dutch freshwater community.
- Prefers the lower reaches of rivers and the shallower margins of lakes, where sandy or gravelly bottoms give way to silt and weed.
- Was historically the dominant bottom-dwelling fish in the artificial lakes of the Biesbosch area (Noord-Brabant / Zuid-Holland border) before round goby colonised those waters.
- Tolerates slow-moving canals and polderwater as well as larger river systems; avoids deep, cold, low-oxygen water.
Key Locations
- Biesbosch (Noord-Brabant / Zuid-Holland) — historically the stronghold for ruffe in the Netherlands, though round goby has severely reduced numbers in the artificial lakes here.
- River Reest (Overijssel / Drenthe border) — documented ruffe presence on sandy gravel beds typical of this small lowland river.
- Dutch canal network — ruffe turn up in small numbers across most canals, particularly where sandy or silty bottom and slow current combine.
Specific Spots
- Sandy or gravelly bottom in 1–4 m of water — ruffe feed by rooting through substrate, so hard bottom with some silt cover is the sweet spot.
- Current breaks along river margins: behind bridge pilings, groynes, or any structure that slows flow and lets invertebrates settle.
- Weed edges and reed margins in lakes and polderwater, where insect larvae and small worms concentrate near the bottom.
- Canal lock approaches and harbour walls — the disturbed bottom and shade concentrate ruffe in numbers, especially after dark.
Ruffe FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Ruffe?
Bloodworm and small red worms are the most reliable baits, fished hard on the bottom under a float or on a light ledger rig, they account for most ruffe caught in the Netherlands.
When is the best time to fish for Ruffe?
Spring (April–May): ruffe gather in shoals to spawn in shallow water, fish are concentrated and catchable, though many anglers encounter them as by-catch during this period. Summer (June–August): active feeding through warm months; dawn and dusk sessions near bottom structure produce the most fish.
How do you catch Ruffe?
Ruffe are almost always a by-catch in the Netherlands, picked up by anglers float-fishing or ledgering with worm or maggot on the bottom while targeting perch or bream.
What do Ruffe eat?
Primarily insect larvae (chironomid midges, mayfly nymphs), small worms, and aquatic invertebrates picked off the bottom, a small red worm or bloodworm on a size 16–18 hook fished hard on the deck is the most direct imitation.
Where do Ruffe live?
Native to the Netherlands; found across the country's river systems, canals, and lowland lakes, a natural part of the Dutch freshwater community. Prefers the lower reaches of rivers and the shallower margins of lakes, where sandy or gravelly bottoms give way to silt and weed.
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Ruffe.
- 01 · Species map filter
Map every Ruffe water
Pick Ruffe and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.
- 02 · Waterbody species
Tap any water. See what lives there.
Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.
- 03 · Angler Intelligence
Ask how to catch Ruffe
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
Stop guessing where Ruffe are.
Open the map, filter by Ruffe, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
Explore other species
Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.
No species information available.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.