Top Tench Fishing Countries

The tench (Tinca tinca) is a freshwater fish native to Europe and parts of western Asia, recognized for its olive-green coloration and preference for slow-moving or still waters with abundant vegetation. Renowned for its hard-fighting nature and subtle feeding habits, the tench is a prized species among coarse anglers. The top tench fishing countries include the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and Lithuania. In these countries, tench are both targeted by recreational anglers and, to a lesser extent, harvested for local consumption and aquaculture. The UK and Germany, in particular, boast vibrant angling communities with well-managed fisheries, while Eastern European nations such as Poland and Russia have a tradition of both wild capture and pond farming. Although tench are not a major commercial species compared to carp or trout, they play an important role in regional recreational fishing industries and are occasionally featured in local cuisine.

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