Scientific name
Carassius carassius
Swedish name
Ruda
Maximum length
up to 45 cm
Maximum weight
up to 3 kg
Spawning
Mai–Juni bei warmem Wasser
Swedish record
Kapitale Fische über 2 kg

Technique in brief

Fine float fishing in the shallows, close to vegetation, with maggots, worms, maize or dough. Bites are hesitant and often missed — a small, sensitive float is more important than the quality of any rod.

Tackle

Light pole or match rod, main line around 0.16 mm, hooks 12–16. Because the fish are usually close to the bank, casting distance is not an issue; approaching cautiously, however, is.

Handling the catch

Small waters mean small stocks. Crucian carp tolerate handling well, but the population of a pool is quickly overfished — taking fish should remain the exception here.

Season by country

  1. Jan Quiet
  2. Feb Quiet
  3. Mar Quiet
  4. Apr Quiet
  5. May Good
  6. Jun Prime time
  7. Jul Prime time
  8. Aug Prime time
  9. Sep Good
  10. Oct Quiet
  11. Nov Quiet
  12. Dec Quiet

Prime time · Good · Quiet

The calendar shows bite windows, not closed seasons. Binding closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by the individual water and appear on its page.

Where in Scandinavia

Official sources

Checked: 04.08.2026

Frequently asked questions

Where can crucian carp be found in Sweden?

In small, shallow and heavily overgrown waters in southern and central Sweden — often in ponds and oxbow lakes that have too little oxygen for other species.

Why do crucian carp survive where other fish die?

They tolerate extremely low oxygen levels and even survive winters in which small waters largely freeze solid. This often makes them the only remaining species in such waters.

What tackle do I need?

Light float tackle with small hooks and fine line. The bites are cautious, so a sensitive float is crucial.