The principal spawning time of the Ruffe is the beginning of April, but some are said to spawn again in October. In the Elements of Natural History a Ruffe is said to deposit seventy-five thousand eggs.


To the young angler the Ruffe yields good sport. Its haunts are in recluse places, where the water is deep, and runs quietly, with a loamy or muddy bottom. The tackle should be fine; the hook No. 7, and a quill float; the bait a small well-scoured red worm, and it must just run on the ground. Throw in some clay balls with worms, or if the water be clear, use common mud balls to colour it.

Three rods may be easily managed, the baits touching the bottom. When there is a bite strike directly, for they gorge so hastily that the knife must be frequently used to get out the hook. Both in the spring and summer they will bite all day with a brisk warm wind, and will sometimes in cold weather take the bait very freely.

The Ruffe, for the delicacy and richness of its flavour, as well as for its being considered very nourishing, is more admired than the Perch.