Fish Fact File

The Salmon is the River Wye's most famous resident. See the amazing lifecycle of this fish. Every year these amazing fish travel 6,000 miles from the Atlantic in an exhausting journey.

A number of lesser known but equally fascinating fish also make their own migratory journeys to the Wye. Amongst them are the Allis and Twaite Shad, a species of Herring, which looks like a sea fish with its reflective scales, but is found on the Wye in freshwater. This fish is actually 110 miles from the sea, and it makes the journey to the Wye where it spawns for just six weeks. The Wye is one of only four rivers in the UK to have runs of this rare fish in Britain.

Also look out for Sea Lampreys in the river - these four feet long fish are predators who come to the Wye to spawn between May and June. These remarkable fish can clamp their mouths onto rocks to move them and create a safe nest. The Lampreys can also thrash their tails to create a dip in which to lay their eggs.