Every Fish. Every Waterbody. Every Detail.
Fish Species Guide: Find Where to Catch Every Fish
Browse 90+ fish species. Get habitat, seasonality, and proven tactics for each one, mapped to the waters they call home.
Most popular fish species
The fish anglers search for most, from African Shortfin Eel, African Carp and African Longfin Eel and more. Start here to learn where they live and how to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
African Shortfin Eel
Anguilla bicolor
African Carp
Labeo cylindricus
African Longfin Eel
Anguilla mossambica
Banded Tilapia
Tilapia sparrmanii
Brownspot Largemouth
Serranochromis thumbergi
Bushveld Smallscale Yellowfish
Labeobarbus polylepis
Cape Galaxias
Galaxias zebratus
Clanwilliam Sandfish
Labeo seeberi
Clanwilliam Yellowfish
Labeobarbus seeberi
Incomati Chiselmouth
Labeobarbus nelspruitensis
Indian Mottled Eel
Anguilla bengalensis
Kwazulu-Natal Yellowfish
Labeobarbus natalensis
See it in the app
Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you fish.
- 01 · Species map filter
Filter the map by species
Pick your target fish 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 Angler Intelligence
Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.
- 04 · Fishing journal
Turn every catch into data
Log catches in seconds and learn which conditions and seasons put fish in your net.
Stop guessing where the fish are.
Open the map, filter by species, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.
- Species map filter
- Angler Intelligence
- Fishing journal
All fish species, A to Z
Browse all 91 species in the guide, listed A to Z.
Browse all 91 species
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Fish species FAQ
Quick answers for planning your next trip.
How many fish species are in the onWater species guide?
The guide covers 91 fish species, including African Shortfin Eel, African Carp and African Longfin Eel. Each species guide lists habitat, seasons and techniques where we have that information.
How do I find where a fish species lives?
Each species guide describes its habitat and distribution. In the onWater app, the species filter narrows the map to waters with that species.
What are the best lures and bait for African Shortfin Eel?
Earthworms and nightcrawlers are the most practical bait, easy to source, stay on the hook, and match the invertebrate prey eels take along the bottom at night.
What are the best lures and bait for African Carp?
No documented bait approach exists specifically for this species. Given its algae-based diet, conventional lures designed for predatory fish are unlikely to be effective.
What are the best lures and bait for African Longfin Eel?
Live or dead fish baits, mullet and similar baitfish, are the most reliable approach; smaller dead baits fished on the bottom at night cover a lot of ground.
We care about these waters
Join a community where fishing is an act of conservation. At onWater, we're dedicated to safeguarding our waters for today, tomorrow, and the countless casts yet to come. Through collaboration, we aim to conserve this resource by giving it a voice through all outdoor recreation enthusiasts and ensure the future of our water resources.
Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.
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