The River Tay that flows through the city of Perth in Scotland used to be a popular fishing venue for coarse anglers after specimen roach, fish in excess of 2 lbs. Some were caught up to 4 lbs, so I woz informed by a local angler. Perth 'Town Water' was free fishing, though a permit had to be applied for. Shoals of roach there were large.

However, the roach population is thought to have been decimated by ferilizers/estrogens in the river's effluent, and drainage run-off from surrounding agricultural land.