Dace (Leuciscus leuciscus)

From the Genus of Cyprinidae and the sub-Family Leuciscinae

Dace are small sociable fish that live in the surface layers of flowing water and clear lakes.

The body is elongate and truly cylindrical. The Dorsal fin is positioned above the Ventrals and both it and the Anal fin are short. The Anal fin outer edge is curved inward (concave). The mouth is small and terminal and without barbels. Dace have a complete lateral line.

The Dorsal surface is black-grey with a blueish sheen. The flanks are silvery often with a yellowish tinge. The scales have dark edges giving an overall ‘netted’ effect. The Dorsal and Caudal fins are grey-yellow and the others weak yellow. Their natural food is chiefly live aquatic insects.

Dace are fished for usually with small baits including maggots and artificial flies.

The British record weight for a rod-caught Dace is 1lb 5oz 2dr, quite a small fish. The Association record is 10oz 0dr, which represents a respectable 47% of the record. This was caught by Roger Izzard from Neilson’s in the 2003/2004 season. Dace over 6oz can be registered as an Association specimen.

If you think you’ve caught a giant Dace, just check that it isn’t a small Chub (Leuciscus cephalus), which has a bigger, deeper mouth and an Anal fin with a convex outer edge. If you think you’ve caught a small Chub, just check that it isn’t a good sized Dace!

02/03/2008