The ruffe (Gymnocephalus cernua), often called "ruffe" or "Eurasian ruff," is a small, spiny freshwater fish native to northern Europe and Asia, particularly abundant in rivers and lakes with sandy or muddy bottoms. This species is not a major commercial target due to its modest size, but it is sometimes harvested as bycatch or for local consumption in countries like Russia, Finland, Estonia, and other Baltic states, where traditional small-scale fisheries still exist. In Russia and Finland, the ruffe is valued for its role in local cuisine and as bait for larger predatory fish. However, the ruffe is better known for its ecological impact as an invasive species in places like the Great Lakes of North America, where it has disrupted native fish populations. Overall, the top ruffe fishing countries are those in northern and eastern Europe, with Russia leading in both natural abundance and harvest, followed by Finland, Estonia, and Latvia.
| Rank | Country | Metric Tons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 209 |
Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.