Utrecht's fish doorbell open; Thousands keep eye out for fish needing lock opened
Utrecht’s fish doorbell is officially open. At 10:24 a.m. on Monday, 2,195 people were on the website, watching for fish who need the lock opened. And over 100 people were watching on YouTube.
The fish doorbell is open during migration season between March and the end of June to allow fish easier access through the Dutch city’s locks. If you spot a fish on the live stream, you ring the doorbell, and the lock keeper opens the lock so the fish can pass through.
The doorbell has become a global hit, with people from Japan to the United States ringing the bell on behalf of fish. Last year, the doorbell was rung approximately 200,000 times for 13 different species of fish.
Perch, pike, and bream were the most common species in 2025. People also regularly spotted eels and some catfish. And the first-ever bleak was seen on the live stream.
People hoping to ring the doorbell should keep an eye on the live stream during the morning and evening. “Most fish are active during dawn or dusk,” the makers of the fish doorbell said. “Eels and zander are mostly spotted at night.”
The migration starts in March, but really picks up from early April.
