Species

Atlantic herring

One of the most common fish in the world: a silver shoaling fish that moves into the inlets and harbours of the Baltic Sea in spring.

Clupea harengus

Photo: savoieju, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0, adjusted to 3:2

Spawning: Varies a lot depending on the stock: North Sea herring spawn from August to January, most Baltic herring in spring (general guide, varies by region)
German Red List: not threatened
Typical method: Paternoster fishing (herring rig)
Top bait: Herring rig with fish skin

Plan a day fishing for Atlantic herring

How to recognise it

Slim body, flattened from the sides, with silver flanks
Steel-blue to greenish back, no visible lateral line
Just one short dorsal fin in the middle of the body, deeply forked tail

Easily confused with: Looks like the sprat: in the herring, the pelvic fins only start behind the front edge of the dorsal fin and the belly scales are not keeled.

How to catch it

Methods: Paternoster fishing (herring rig), Fishing from piers and harbour walls, Boat fishing

Baits: Herring rig with fish skin, Herring rig with glitter flies, Small spoon

In spring, when the spawning shoals move into the inlets, lagoons (Bodden) and harbours of the western Baltic Sea; often deeper during the day, higher up at dusk.

Habitat and food

North Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay across the North Sea and Baltic Sea to the Arctic Ocean, in open water and along the coast down to around 360 m. To spawn, Baltic herring move into shallow water with plant growth.

Zooplankton such as small crustaceans, snails and fish larvae, some of which it filters out of the water; adult herring also eat small fish in autumn.

Size and age

Up to around 45 cm and about 1 kg, usually smaller; can live for more than 20 years (Wikipedia). FishBase: max. 45 cm, heaviest published weight 1.1 kg, maximum age 25 years. Herring in the Baltic Sea stay smaller than those in the North Sea.

Protection and rules

Conservation status: German Red List (marine fish 2025): not threatened. IUCN: not threatened (Least Concern, assessment from 2009).

Atlantic herring: closed season and minimum size by German state

These rules apply in Germany only. Fishing in the UK, the USA or elsewhere? The local rules apply there (link below).

Schleswig-Holsteinminimum size 20 cm (coast)minimum size 11 cm (coast)

From the official state fisheries regulations, retrieved 2026-10-11. All rules by state

Check the rules

In Germany, closed seasons and minimum sizes are set by each state and can be stricter for single waters. All German rules by state, with the legal source. Outside Germany, the local rules apply: licence and agency by country.

In the kitchen

An oily, flavourful fish; pan-fried fresh (Brathering), pickled, smoked as Bückling or as Matjes.

Sources (4)

Last checked 2026-10-18. Found a mistake? Write to [email protected].

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