The Fish Doorbell is a seasonal underwater livestream at Utrecht’s Weerdsluis in the Netherlands. Viewers watch for fish waiting to pass through the closed lock and can ring a digital bell to alert the operator. The alert does not open the lock: the operator decides manually whether and when to do so.
What is the Fish Doorbell?
The Fish Doorbell, or Utrechtse Visdeurbel, is a camera and online doorbell set up at the Weerdsluis lock in Utrecht. In spring, migrating fish can gather in the current on one side of the closed lock as they move toward spawning habitat. The livestream lets people see that underwater traffic and report a sighting.
The project’s stated aims are to help fish continue their migration toward spawning grounds and to draw attention to life in Utrecht’s canals. Its route through the city leads toward the Kromme Rijn, according to the official project overview.
How does the Fish Doorbell work?
- Watch the livestream. Look for fish in the water in front of the closed Weerdsluis.
- Press the digital doorbell when you spot a fish. The system takes a photo and sends the collected images to the lock operator.
- The operator makes the decision. The operator reviews the information and decides whether opening the lock is worthwhile. The operation is manual and takes about an hour.
So, pressing the button does not open the lock immediately. It is a way to report a possible passage opportunity; control remains with the operator. The official FAQ explains the mechanism and lock operation.
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When can you watch it?
The livestream runs seasonally during the spring migration, rather than year-round. Utrecht’s 2026 season began on March 2 and ended on July 1, when the camera was switched off. The project homepage lists March 1, 2027 as the planned return date; check the organizers’ updates in case that schedule changes.
What fish can you see?
Fish species vary, and sightings depend on what is moving through the canal. Utrecht reported that 12 species were seen during the 2026 season, with perch the most common. The project’s FAQ also gives information about common and less frequently seen fish in Utrecht’s waters.
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How many people used the Fish Doorbell?
The Municipality of Utrecht reported 12 million website visits, 889,000 unique viewers and 220,000 doorbell presses for the 2026 season. These are separate measures: visits are not unique viewers, and presses are not a count of fish or lock openings.
For comparison, a February 2026 project press release said the platform received 30 million visits from 2.3 million visitors worldwide in 2025. Those figures describe a different season and different audience metrics, not an alternative count for 2026.
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Who runs the project?
The project identifies the Municipality of Utrecht, Hoogheemraadschap De Stichtse Rijnlanden (HDSR) and Mark van Heukelum of Dutch Wallfish as partners. It combines a practical fish-passage alert with public access to a view of urban aquatic life that people would rarely encounter otherwise.
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