Fish Species & Fishing Tips for Switzerland and Europe

Overview of 18 fish species with bait, season, ideal temperature, air pressure and moon behaviour. The complete, individual weather forecast including Bite Index is available in the Perfektes Angelwetter App.

Brown Trout

Bait

Small lures (spoons, spinners), maggots, worms

Season

May–June

Ideal Temperature

8–16 °C

Ideal Pressure

1006–1030 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

aggressive feeding phases before a pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

Increased activity at full and new moon

Bream

Bait

Maggots, sweetcorn, breadcrumbs, small particles (casters, pellets)

Season

May–early June

Ideal Temperature

15–22 °C

Ideal Pressure

1008–1020 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

a slight increase in feeding, then a pullback

Moon Behaviour

Active during the waxing phase and around full moon

Chub

Bait

Bread, maggots, worms

Season

Spring–summer

Ideal Temperature

12–20 °C

Ideal Pressure

1010–1025 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

quick feeding bursts before diving for cover

Moon Behaviour

Increased activity around full and new moon

Whitefish

Bait

Hegene rig with nymphs (bloodworms, water fleas, scuds)

Season

Spring to autumn, sometimes winter

Ideal Temperature

6–14 °C

Ideal Pressure

1015–1030 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Active during stable air pressure

Moon Behaviour

Less feeding activity at full moon, better around new moon/waxing

European Perch

Bait

Soft lures, spinners, wobblers, worms

Season

Year-round, mornings and evenings

Ideal Temperature

12–20 °C

Ideal Pressure

1015–1030 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

feeding bursts during a slow pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

More surface feeding at full moon

Pike

Bait

Spinnerbaits, large soft lures, wobblers, jerkbaits/swimbaits

Season

March–May, mornings & evenings

Ideal Temperature

12–18 °C

Ideal Pressure

1012–1025 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

increased biting activity with a slight pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

Active around full and new moon

Carp

Bait

Boilies, tiger nuts, hard sweetcorn, pellets

Season

May–June and late summer

Ideal Temperature

18–24 °C

Ideal Pressure

1013 hPa (ideal)

Pressure Behaviour

less activity during strong low pressure

Moon Behaviour

Clear increase in biting at full moon and new moon

Roach

Bait

Maggots (pinkies), sweetcorn, bread, hemp

Season

Long feeding phases in summer; dawn/dusk in autumn

Ideal Temperature

10–22 °C

Ideal Pressure

1008–1020 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

slightly increased activity before a gentle pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

Slight increase during the waxing phase & full moon

Tench

Bait

Maggots, worms, sweetcorn, wheat

Season

March–October, mornings & evenings

Ideal Temperature

16–24 °C

Ideal Pressure

1013 hPa (ideal)

Pressure Behaviour

active during light low pressure

Moon Behaviour

More nighttime feeding phases at full moon

Wels Catfish

Bait

Nightcrawlers, baitfish, leeches, pellets, liver, large soft lures

Season

April–May and autumn, mostly at night

Ideal Temperature

18–26 °C

Ideal Pressure

1010–1020 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Holds up in deep holes during a strong pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

Surface activity at full moon

Pikeperch (Zander)

Bait

Soft lures (5–10 cm), wobblers, jigs, softbaits, baitfish

Season

Dawn/dusk, midday feeding phases in summer

Ideal Temperature

12–18 °C

Ideal Pressure

1013–1025 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

brief bursts of biting activity with a slight pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

Especially active at full & new moon

Brook Trout

Bait

Spinners, spoons, maggots, worms, small lures

Season

Spring–autumn, best time May–June

Ideal Temperature

6–14 °C

Ideal Pressure

1008–1025 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Active during stable to slightly falling pressure

Moon Behaviour

Not very moon-dependent, slightly increased at new moon

Rainbow Trout

Bait

Spinners, spoons, maggots, salmon eggs, small wobblers

Season

Year-round, best time Mar–May & Sep–Oct

Ideal Temperature

10–16 °C

Ideal Pressure

1008–1028 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Aggressive feeding phases before a pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

Slightly increased activity at full and new moon

Lake Trout

Bait

Large wobblers, spoons, dead baitfish, large spoons

Season

Autumn–winter (spawning season), spring

Ideal Temperature

8–14 °C

Ideal Pressure

1012–1028 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Active during stable high pressure

Moon Behaviour

Increased activity at full moon and new moon

Arctic Char

Bait

Hegene rig, small spinners, worms, small spoons

Season

Spring and autumn, deep jigging in summer

Ideal Temperature

4–12 °C

Ideal Pressure

1012–1028 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Active during stable pressure

Moon Behaviour

Increased activity at new moon

Lake Char

Bait

Large spoons, jigs, dead baitfish, large soft lures

Season

Spring and autumn, deep jigging in summer

Ideal Temperature

4–12 °C

Ideal Pressure

1012–1028 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Active during stable high pressure

Moon Behaviour

Not very moon-dependent

Atlantic Salmon

Bait

Flies, spinners, spoons, prawns, dead baitfish

Season

Spring–autumn depending on the river, best time May–July

Ideal Temperature

8–14 °C

Ideal Pressure

1008–1025 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Rises more actively as pressure falls

Moon Behaviour

Clearly more active at full and new moon

Danube Salmon (Huchen)

Bait

Large wobblers, jerkbaits, large soft lures, dead baitfish

Season

Autumn–spring, best time Oct–Mar

Ideal Temperature

8–16 °C

Ideal Pressure

1010–1025 hPa

Pressure Behaviour

Increased biting mood with a slight pressure drop

Moon Behaviour

Active around full and new moon, especially at night