Species

Grey gurnard

A bottom-dwelling fish with a large, armoured head and wing-like pectoral fins that makes grunting sounds with its swim bladder.

Eutrigla gurnardus

Photo: Arnstein Rønning, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: January to June, the eggs float in the surface water (general guide, varies by region)
German Red List: not threatened
Typical method: Bottom fishing from a boat
Top bait: Fish strips

Plan a day fishing for Grey gurnard

How to recognise it

Large head armoured with bony ridges, body tapering towards the tail
Wing-like pectoral fins, the first three rays free and movable
Grey back with a yellow and a white lateral line, white belly; large dark spot in the first dorsal fin

Easily confused with: Other gurnards look similar and are often reddish; the grey gurnard is grey in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, but also reddish brown or brown in the Mediterranean (Wikipedia). A clue is the large dark spot in the first dorsal fin (English Wikipedia).

How to catch it

Methods: Bottom fishing from a boat, Drift fishing with natural bait, Surf fishing

Baits: Fish strips, Shrimp, Ragworm, Small soft plastic fish

In summer, when the grey gurnard comes close to the coast; over sandy and muddy ground.

Habitat and food

From Norway and Iceland to North Africa, plus the North Sea, western Baltic Sea, Mediterranean and Black Sea. Lives mainly on sandy and muddy bottoms at 5 to 200 m depth, in summer close to the coast and into the brackish water of estuaries (Wikipedia).

Crustaceans, molluscs and small fish (Wikipedia); FishBase mainly lists shrimps and shore crabs as well as gobies, flatfish, young herring and sand eels.

Size and age

On average 30 cm, up to 60 cm (Wikipedia). FishBase: max. 60 cm, common length 30 cm, max. published weight 956 g.

Protection and rules

Conservation status: German Red List (marine fish 2025): not threatened, population common, clear long-term increase. IUCN: according to FishBase not evaluated (Not Evaluated).

We found no minimum size or closed season for this species in any state fisheries regulation. Local water rules may still apply.

Check the rules

Closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each German state and can be stricter for single waters. All rules by state, with the legal source

In the kitchen

Gurnards are considered high-quality food fish (Wikipedia); fried or baked fresh (FishBase).

Sources (4)

Last checked 2026-10-13. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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