Fish Specials - Perch

Common Name - Perch
Latin Name - Perca Fluviatilis
Family - Perciidae
Weight - > 6 lbs 6oz.
UK Record - 6 lbs 2oz - (River Thames, 2008)

The Perch, in my opinion is most probably one of the best fish in our waters. No matter how small they nearly always make up part of a good days fishing. These stripy predators can be caught in virtually any water and on any tactics.

The are unmistakable by their green body with their black vertical stripes. Sometimes they are called the Sergeant Major due to their stripes. They are the smallest of our native predators. Baits such as maggots, casters, worms & minnows all work well. Artificial lures work well for the larger specimens. If you are using minnows or lures then a wire trace is a must as Pike will also be taken on these methods.

They are a shoaling fish and in summer can be seen chasing fry in the shallows. The bigger Perch tend to hide in the margins or deeper down in the water. They are also cannibalistic as they will eat smaller Perch.

Fish in areas such as the edge of weeds, rushes, bridges or any other type of structure.