Huchen
Hucho hucho
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Vulnerable (IUCN, criteria A3cde). Fishing is often banned or subject to very high minimum sizes and tiny annual quotas; harvest is not encouraged.
season calendar
Closed months recorded (share of areas closing the species that month) — 12 areas.
Related gear
10 cm Hard Lures, Pack of 5 with BoxFor : northern pike, zander, walleye · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€30.90£16.90Not shipped to the United States
Floating Spider Soft Lures, Pack of 6For : largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chub · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€33.90£19.90Not shipped to the United States
Jointed Big Bait 22 cm, 115 gFor : northern pike, wels catfish · crankbait and hard-lure fishing
€57.90£39.90Not shipped to the United States
The giant of Danube rivers
The huchen, or Danube salmon, is the largest salmonid of central European rivers. It is native to the Danube basin and has been introduced to a few other rivers. It is not found in the UK or North America. FishBase describes it in the deeper parts of swift, oxygen-rich rivers; adults are territorial. Juveniles eat invertebrates; adults eat mostly fish, but also amphibians, reptiles, small mammals and waterfowl.
A vulnerable species
The IUCN lists the huchen as Vulnerable (2024 assessment reported by FishBase). FishBase attributes the decline to overexploitation, industrial pollution, river diversions and missing or poorly designed fish passes at dams; transplanting hatchery-reared young has not been successful. Holčík and colleagues' (1988) monograph remains the reference work on the species, and Witkowski and colleagues (2013) traced its distribution, restoration and conservation in Poland.
Sizes
Common length is 70 cm (27.6 in); the maximum published is 150 cm (59 in) and 52 kg (115 lb), with a maximum age of 20 years (FishBase). Reports of fish over 2 m and 100 kg are probably erroneous according to FishBase.
Spawning and regulations
Huchen spawn in spring after a short upstream migration, on gravel in flowing water. Where they may be fished, seasons are usually limited to autumn and winter, with very high minimum sizes and small annual quotas; on many rivers huchen fishing is prohibited. Always check the regulation page and the beat rules before fishing.
An exceptional fishery, to be practised with restraint
Huchen fishing takes place in winter, in cold water, with large soft plastics, big crankbaits or large streamers in deep pools. It demands patience and respect. We deliberately give no tips to increase catches here: the priority is conserving the species.
If you catch one
Release it, even where harvest is permitted, if the law allows. Use strong tackle to shorten the fight and a large net, keep the fish in the water and limit photos to a few seconds. In spring, stay away from spawning grounds.
Tackle checklist
Huchen fishing calls for a strong spinning or baitcasting rod, heavy braid with a strong leader, a large rubber-mesh net, long pliers and warm, safe wading gear for winter rivers. Many beats also require a special permit and catch reporting.
Lures and baits
- Large soft plastics and the traditional Huchenzopf where legal
- Big crankbaits
- Large streamers
Catch and release
- Practise catch-and-release even where harvest is allowed.
- Large net, keep the fish in the water, quick photo.
- Strong tackle to keep fights short.
- Leave spawning grounds alone in spring.
Minimum size for Huchen by area
France : 70 cm (97)
Germany : 70–90 cm (2)
| Baden-Württemberg | 70 cm |
| Bayern | 90 cm |
Austria : 75–85 cm (6)
| Kärnten | 85 cm |
| Niederösterreich | 75 cm |
| Oberösterreich | 85 cm |
| Salzburg | 85 cm |
| Steiermark | 85 cm |
| Tirol | 80 cm |
Slovenia : 70 cm (1)
Studies cited
- Witkowski et al. (2013) The history of huchen, Hucho hucho (L.), in Poland – distribution, restoration and conservation Archives of Polish Fisheries doi:10.2478/aopf-2013-0013
Traces the history of huchen in Poland: distribution, restoration and conservation. - Holčík et al. (1988) The Eurasian Huchen, Hucho hucho doi:10.1007/978-94-009-3093-3
Reference monograph on the Eurasian huchen: biology, ecology, reproduction and management.
Official sources
- FishBase – Hucho hucho (fiche espèce ; statut IUCN Red List 2025-2 repris par FishBase) (accessed on 23 September 2026)