Catfish attack on Brombachsee: man injured, bathing island demolished!

Catfish attack on Brombachsee: man injured, bathing island demolished!

At Lake Brombachsee in Middle Franconia, a catfish has once again caused a stir. A man was bitten on the arm by the large fish while he was near a bathing island. This incident occurred on July 6, 2025 and promptly led to the dismantling of the bathing island near Absberg in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district. The water temperatures and the summer season had attracted numerous bathers to the lake, but now there is a rethinking of leisure activities on the water. [Merkur].

The police reacted quickly to the threatening situation and closed the entire bathing area. To prevent further attacks, the aggressive catfish was shot. This happened against the backdrop of a music festival taking place at the same time, which increased the urgency of the measure. Experts suspect that the fish, which is considered rather shy in the region, may have been defending its clutch, which could explain the aggressive behavior. Catfish typically stay in deeper water during the day and prefer darkness. Spiegel

The debate about the actions of the police

After the catfish was shot, a heated debate ensued. The fish farmer Christian Forster defended the use of the firearm because he recognized the acute danger to the bathers. He emphasized that a catfish as large as the six-foot-long creature that was first shot is difficult to catch. In such situations the police would act in a similar way to when threatened by other dangerous animals. BR

In contrast, the killing of the catfish was criticized by the German Animal Welfare Association as “completely disproportionate”. The association suggested cordoning off the bank area to protect bathers without causing deaths. Experts agree that catfish only become aggressive when they feel threatened. Police spokesman Michael Petzold and the representative of the state fishing association confirm that it is extremely rare for these fish to attack people.

Catfish in the region – a double sword

The reporting on the incidents at Brombachsee also casts a shadow on the leisure facilities, which are already considered great. While the summer months attract large crowds, the risk of another catfish attack is an issue that cannot be ignored. Faster response from authorities and education of visitors could be crucial in the future to prevent further incidents while protecting natural wildlife.

It remains questionable whether bathers will continue to choose Brombachsee as their destination despite the incidents. For those affected, one thing is certain: a relaxing day by the water can quickly turn into a dangerous situation. The region is required to develop and implement suitable security concepts. It remains to be hoped that everyone involved will find a way to ensure both nature conservation and the safety of bathers.