Perch Information And Facts.
Scientific Name: Perca Fluviatilis
Maximum Weight: 7lb (3.2kg)
Maximum Length: 20in (50cm)
Average Weight Caught: 8oz (228g)
Life Span: 13 years
The perch has distinctive first dorsal fin that has about 15 spines on it and a distinctive black dot on it. The lower fins of the perch and also in som cases the lower part of the tail are red. The perch has a second dorsal fin with one or two spines in it and also has black stripes on the sides of its body.
British Record: 5lb 15oz (2006)
Scottish Record: 4lb 14oz (1989)
Irish Lake: 5lb 8oz (1946)
Irish River:
Welsh Record: 5lb 9oz (2002)
Ardleigh Resevoir Essex
Perch over 3lb
Bewel Water Kent
Perch over 2lb
Tranwsfynyd Lake North Wales
Numerous Perch
River Trent Sawley Marina Derbyshire
Perch over 3lb
Loch Ken Scotland
Perch over 1lb
River Thames At Runnymeade
Perch over 4lb
Tringrith Fishery Bedfordshire
Perch over 3lb
The Perch is a lovely marked fish with distinctive stripes on its flanks it is a cruiser not a speed fish but always gives good sport regardless of size.
THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE PERCH.
The male perch can be sexually active at six months where as the females are active sexually until they are three years old. Spawning takes place between March and June wherethe female lays upto 300,000 eggs in strands over solid objects in the shallow waters. After hatching young perch form schools. As they get older then the perch get more solitary but this is through natural selection through fish dying or being eaten rather than perch choice.
PERCH FEEDING TIMES.
Perch are hunters and their fry feed on water fleas and other crustacea then move up to the larger bloodworm and other insect lavae. However where there are small enough prey fish to be eaten the perch will swap its diet to fish. This transition usually happens when the perch gets to around 4oz in weight and those that do increase in weight rapidly. These larger perch will then eat smaller fish and fish of their own species, therefore find the small perch and the bigger ones aren't far behind.
HUNTING HABITS.
The small perch hunt in schools lying in wait in the weeds until prey passes by. From here the school will chase the prey biting the tail to restrict the preys swimming and it therefore follows that a perch will swallow any prey caught by the tail first.
Perch prefer clear still or slow moving waters and like to frequent weed beds waiting for prey. Cast just beyond the reed bed and if the angler catches a small perch then more often than not bigger perch are not far behind. Lures and a mixture of red and white maggots work a treat.
The Perch Vital Statistics.
Knowing Your Perch.
Perch Records.
Top Perch Waters.