Species
Tench
Tinca tinca
Tier 5Eating5/10ultralight tackleNSWVICSATASACT
1 waypoint25–40 cm (max 70 cm) typical
Overview: about tench
Introduced European cyprinid established in slow rivers and lakes across southern Australia — particularly VIC, TAS and the cooler waters of NSW. Targeted with worms, sweetcorn and bread baits fished slow on the bottom. A coarse-fishing classic in the UK; here, an introduced freshwater quarry.
Biology: Tench size, diet & habitat
- Habitat
- Freshwater, Lake, River
- Typical size
- 25–40 cm (max 70 cm)
- Weight
- 0.5–1.5 kg (max 8 kg)
- Depth range
- 0–10 m
- Diet
- invertebrates, plant matter, detritus
- Most active
- crepuscular
- Global range
- Native to Eurasia; introduced in AU
How to target: Tench angling strategies
Generally fished with ultralight tackle — match gear to the conditions and the size of fish you expect.
- sweetcorn or worm on a light running sinker rig in still water at dawn
- small float-fished worm baits in weedy lake margins
Conservation
IUCN: Least Concern
Introduced. Niche AU rec target.
Recent community catches: anglers who caught tench
No tench catches logged yet. Log one and you'll be recognised here.
Where to catch: tench fishing spots in Australia
Victoria1
More information: tench references & sources
Saved.