The Dutch listing of fresh water fish is based on historical records during the period 1945 - 1995 either in abundance, in catch per unit effort, or in range contraction from records of fish in 5 by 5 km grid squares.Twenty four fish species are listed of which three are considered susceptible (SU), eight are vulnerable (VU), six are endangered (EN) and seven extinct (EX) as self sustaining, viable populations in The Netherlands or in the catchment areas of the Rhine and the Meuse.

The Eel* and the Ide are susceptible because both have declined markedly in abundance over the last fifty years. A few records of the Schneider exist today, even though the species was considered to be extinct in the 1930s.

The Crucian carp, River lamprey*, Sea trout*, Chub and Dace have also declined in number over the last fifty years, although the number of grid square records for the Sea trout* and River lamprey* have not markedly changed. By contrast the geographical ranges of the Moderlieschen, Bitterling and Weatherfish have all contracted over the past fifty years by more than 25%.

The Burbot, Brook lamprey and Minnow have all suffered a range contraction of more than 50% since 1945 and are considered to be endangered. The Nase and Barbel have experienced a marked (80 - 90%) decline in numbers and probably a range contraction too since 1945. The number of Sea lampreys* entering the upper reaches of the river Rhine and Meuse have also strongly declined.

The Brown trout, Houting*(North Sea), Salmon*, Twaite shad, Grayling, Sturgeon and Allis shad* are all thought to be extinct in The Netherlands now, although few fish may occur as immigrants from outside the country or from artificially stocked fish.