Top Choicy Ruff Fishing Countries

The ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), also known as "ruffe" or "Eurasian ruffe," is a small, perch-like freshwater fish native to northern Europe and Asia, particularly abundant in the brackish and freshwater systems of the Baltic and Caspian Seas. Characterized by its spiny dorsal fin and mottled brownish coloration, the ruffe typically inhabits slow-moving rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. While not a major commercial species, it is harvested in several countries, notably Russia, Finland, Sweden, and Poland, where it is occasionally caught for local consumption or as bycatch in perch and pikeperch fisheries. In these regions, the ruffe is valued for its adaptability and resilience, though its proliferation can sometimes disrupt native fish populations. The fishing industry for ruffe remains relatively small-scale, often integrated with broader freshwater fisheries, but the species is of growing interest in some Eastern European markets for traditional dishes and as a source of fishmeal.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.