Fish tagging, answered

A PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tag is a tiny microchip in biocompatible glass, implanted just under the skin of a fish. It has no battery — a handheld reader powers it briefly and reads a unique 15-digit ID. That ID links to the fish’s record in ChipACarp: name, weight history, captures and photos.

Yes, when done correctly. PIT tags have been used in fisheries and fish research for decades. The tag is small and inert, implanted quickly by trained hands, and does not affect the fish’s growth or behaviour. Good hygiene and handling matter — which is why we offer on-site tagging and training.

No. Theft deterrence is real — tagged, registered fish are far harder to sell on — but the bigger value is understanding your water. Tagging turns guesswork into a clear record of what swims in your lake, how it’s growing, and when each fish was last caught.

No. They can scan the tag with a Bluetooth reader (it types the number straight into the app) or type it in with instant look-up. Each lake also has a QR code anglers scan to log a catch with no login at all.

Yes. If your fish are already PIT-tagged, keep the same tags — import your fish and their history with our column-matching tool, or we’ll migrate you for a fee. No need to re-tag.

The platform is £39.99 per lake per month, with 20% off your second lake and 30% off every lake after that. Pay annually and get a month free. There’s a 7-day free trial with no card. Hardware — tags, guns and scanners — is sold separately in the shop.

Applied correctly, no. Decades of use in fisheries and research show PIT tags are inert and well-tolerated, with no meaningful effect on growth or behaviour. Correct placement, clean equipment and careful handling are what matter — we train your team or tag on-site.

PIT tagging of your own stock for identification and welfare is an established practice in UK fisheries. As with any fish handling, follow good welfare practice. If you’re unsure about your specific situation, we’re happy to talk it through.

Tagging should be done by someone trained and confident. You can learn with our training, or book our team to come and tag your stock on-site — humane, fast and logged straight into your registry.

You build a living record of every fish: weights over its lifetime, how often it’s caught, and where. That turns stocking, netting and fish-care decisions into data-led ones instead of guesswork — and gives you verified proof of your stock to attract anglers.

Yes. Copy one line of code and a live “recent catches” feed appears on your site — you approve every catch and photo first, and you can fully customise the look (photos, colours, layout).

Report it in ChipACarp and it’s flagged on the tag registry. Anyone scanning that fish — anywhere on the network — sees the alert and its provenance, making stolen fish far harder to move on.

PIT tags, an applicator (tag gun) to implant them, and a scanner to read them — all in the shop. Then a ChipACarp subscription for the registry and app. Not sure where to begin? Book on-site tagging and we’ll get you going.

It helps, but the app captures catches offline at the bank and syncs when you’re back in signal — handy on remote waters.

Both. Managers and their team get the full dashboard; guests get a simple “log a catch” experience via the app or your lake’s QR code.