Species › Europe, UK & Ireland · Freshwater › European Perch

Freshwater

European Perch

Perca fluviatilis · Perch, Redfin (Australia), Barsch

Water temp
57–68°F
Peak season
Sep–Nov
Best light
Daytime
IGFA record
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European Perch (Perca fluviatilis 2008 G1.jpg)

Photo: George Chernilevsky · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

OverviewWhere & WhenHow to CatchGearRegulationsRecordsForecastCatches

Overview

European perch are deep, hump-backed fish with greenish flanks crossed by five to nine dark bars, a spiny first dorsal fin and bright red-orange pelvic, anal and tail fins. They are native to most of Europe and northern Asia, from Britain and France to Siberia, and have been introduced to Australia, where they are called redfin. Perch hunt in schools by day, herding fry, minnows and invertebrates along drop-offs, weed edges, bridge pilings and canal locks, and the biggest fish turn solitary. Perch matter because they are everywhere and willing, yet a 4 lb (1.8 kg) fish is a genuine specimen, which has made them the focus of Europe's light-lure and dropshot boom.

Typical size4–12 oz (0.1–0.35 kg); 6–11 in
Trophy3 lb+ (1.4 kg+); 4 lb+ is exceptional
Table fareExcellent — firm, sweet white flesh; a delicacy in Scandinavia and the Alps

Where & when

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Autumn (September–November) is the peak as perch feed hard on the year's fry in clearing water; winter fishing is good in mild spells, and perch spawn in April–May when rivers in England are closed.

River Great Ouse, United KingdomProducer of 5 lb+ perchLake Maggiore, ItalyDeep Alpine lake; large perch on jigsStockholm Archipelago, SwedenBrackish islands with abundant big perch

How to catch

Dropshot and small jigsRig a 2–3 in soft plastic 12–18 in above a dropshot weight and work it with gentle shakes along canal walls, boat moorings, lock gates and drop-offs. Perch hit on the pause; strike at any weight. Small jigheads with creature baits or curl-tails cover water faster.
Lobworm under a float or on a ledgerFish a whole lobworm on a size 6–8 hook under a float or on a light running ledger beside cover, and feed chopped worm and red maggots to hold the school. Big perch respond to a lobworm when they ignore lures, especially in winter.

Gear

Rod6'6"–7'6" light or ultralight spinning, fast action
Reel1000–2500 spinning
Line6–10 lb braid; 6–8 lb fluorocarbon leader

Lures

Soft-plastic dropshot baitSmall jighead with creature baitSmall crankbait or spinner

Baits

LobwormsRed maggotsSmall live minnows (where legal)Prawns

Regulations

A national rod licence plus a venue or club permit is required across most of Europe, with England's river close season running mid-March to mid-June; perch have minimum sizes and bag limits in some countries such as Germany and Switzerland. Rules vary by country and region.

Records

IGFA all-tackle world record: not listed. State and regional records are kept by each fish & wildlife agency.

Frequently asked

What is the best lure for big perch?

A 2.5–3 in soft plastic in natural or chartreuse fished on a dropshot rig is the most reliable, because it hangs in the strike zone and lets you work tight features slowly. Small crankbaits and spinners cover more water in autumn, and a jigged creature bait beside a lock gate or moored boat is deadly in winter.

Bite forecast — European Perch

Recent catches

Posted by anglers on the live map, filtered to European Perch.

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