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European Perch fish, its habitats, characteristics, fishing methods.
The European Perch is extremely popular fighting sport and an excellent food fish in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, everywhere in Europe and Russia. They make a wonderful catch for fishermen of all skill levels. They inhabit slow-moving, nearshore areas where moderate amounts of vegetation provide cover, food and protection, they feed on insect larvae, crustaceans, and small fish, zooplankton and other tiny aquatic organisms. Most fish are caught in early winter months during their spawning run in the upper tributaries where they are easier to catch.
A combination of understanding the fish and the techniques used to catch them will help you to hook more fish to the end of your line. Better knowing and understanding of the fish that you are trying to catch will make you a more successful angler, whether you are fishing for trout on a river or surfing on the beach or trolling on the open water.
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The European perch - Perca fluviatilis is a highly predatory species of perch found in Europe and Asia. Also known as the redfin perch or English perch, shortform perch. The species has been widely introduced into Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, throughout Europe and Siberia to Kolyma River, but not in Spain or Italy.
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Description
European perch are greenish-yellow with red pelvic, anal, and caudal fins. They have 5–9 dark black vertical bars on their sides, 14-20 dorsal spines, 13-16 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, 7-10 anal soft rays, 39-42 vertebrae. Their first dorsal fin markedly higher than the second and have gray color with black spot at the tip, second dorsal greenish-yellow, pectorals yellow, other fins are red, caudal fin emarginated. European perch size can vary greatly depend the bodies of water; in Australia the fish are much larger than in Europe. The perch can live for up to 22 years. The maximum length is 24 in (60 cm) and the largest weight is 23 lb (10.4 kg) recorder in Australia, a maximum of less than 6.6 lb (3 kg) in the UK (the British record above 6lb), they grow to moderately larger maximums in mainland Europe than in Britain.
Habitat and Habits
Perch are gregarious, and in the winter months, when floods have destroyed weed beds, they congregate together in pools. Adults occur in slow-flowing rivers, deep lakes and ponds; avoids cold, fast-flowing waters but may penetrate into but not breed in such waters. Normally found lying close to or amongst obstacles in the water. Found in some of the brackish waters of the Baltic Sea. Common where there is abundant aquatic vegetation. A predatory species, juveniles feed on zooplankton, bottom invertebrate fauna and other perch fry while adults feed on both invertebrates and fish, mainly stickle-backs, perch, roach and minnows.
Spawning
The perch spawns at the end of April or beginning of May, depositing it upon weeds, or the branches of trees or shrubs that have become immersed in the water; it does not come into condition again until July. Spawning occurs in spring. The egg mass is unpalatable to other fish and is therefore protected. The eggs hatch in 1-3 weeks and the young form schools for some time before taking up a solitary existence. Eggs grouped in long white ribbons (up to 1 m) are found over submerged objects. The dietary preferences have created fears among conservationists who believed this species adversely affects stocks of native fishes including Murray cod, Macquarie perch, pygmy perches and rainbow fishes.
Fishing Methods.
Baits for perch are minnows, or brandling, red, marsh, and lob worms, shrimps and artificial lures. The tackle should be fine but strong. When using a fish as bait, a trout or pike may occasionally be hooked, therefore the perch angler has a certain responsibility to use a wire trace with such baits as considerable damage could be done to pike or trout if light line is broken. Artificial lures may also be quite effective, particularly for medium sized perch. Used to be cultured commercially in Australia. Its flesh is excellent and not so bony. Utilized fresh and frozen; eaten pan-fried and baked. May be captured with natural or artificial bait
Most fish are caught in early winter months during their spawning run in the upper tributary waters where they are very easy to catch. During the rest of the year, they inhabit a vast territory, a wide variety of habitats, are a schooling fish, and congregate near shore in the spring. They are also taken recreationally mainly because of their flavor and their desire to take a baited hook. Yellow perch are most active during the daytime.
For best results, use a rod designed for light to medium action with a casting or spinning reel with hooks sizes 4 to 8. The single best bait is minnows. The smaller the minnow, the better. Artificial bait also work great.
Great rods for Yellow Perch fishing are:
15ft Telescopic Fishing Spinning Rod ,
21ft Telescopic Spinning Light Rod,
21ft Telescopic Carbon Pole,
18ft Telescopic Carbon Pole Rod,
24ft Telescopic Fishing Pole
Freshwater Fish Species
The Perch family species
Saltwater Fish Species
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