The perch, abundant in supply, is a tasty freshwater game fish that can be caught by anglers all year round. The perch usually has a greenish body with a white or yellow belly and brightly colored pelvic fins, black stripes along its sides, double dorsal fins, and ctenoid scales. Its compact body shape makes it move very quickly in the water. The speed comes in handy during an attack, making it an efficient predator, but in the spring, the fish grows fat and turns slow as it spawns. There are three notable perch species: the European perch, the yellow perch, and the Balkhash perch. The European perch, formerly unique to Europe and Asia, was introduced to South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand and is called English perch or redfin perch in those regions. Notably, it is the national fish of Finland. The European perch is a predatory species. In Australia, particularly New South Wales, it has been declared noxious because of its active role in reducing native fish. Interestingly, a perch may live as long as two decades, reaching a maximum length of 24 inches. Perch can also grow as large as eight pounds, as was the case with one caught in the Maas river in the Netherlands. Because the Baltic Sea contains low salinity levels, many freshwater fish in the surrounding area thrive, multiply abundantly, and reach a considerable size. A young perch typically feeds on zooplankton, but as soon as it reaches about five inches in size, it starts to feed on fish and invertebrates, with its favorites including minnows and sticklebacks.

1. Sebastian Wyczawski

2. The perch, abundant in supply, is a tasty freshwater game fish that can
be caught by anglers all year round. The perch usually has a greenish
body with a white or yellow belly and brightly colored pelvic fins, black
stripes along its sides, double dorsal fins, and ctenoid scales. Its
compact body shape makes it move very quickly in the water. The speed
comes in handy during an attack, making it an efficient predator, but in
the spring, the fish grows fat and turns slow as it spawns.

3. There are three notable perch species: the European perch, the yellow
perch, and the Balkhash perch. The European perch, formerly unique to
Europe and Asia, was introduced to South Africa, Australia, and New
Zealand and is called English perch or redfin perch in those regions.
Notably, it is the national fish of Finland.

4. The European perch is a predatory species. In Australia, particularly New
South Wales, it has been declared noxious because of its active role in
reducing native fish. Interestingly, a perch may live as long as two
decades, reaching a maximum length of 24 inches. Perch can also grow
as large as eight pounds, as was the case with one caught in the Maas
river in the Netherlands.

5. Because the Baltic Sea contains low salinity levels, many freshwater fish
in the surrounding area thrive, multiply abundantly, and reach a
considerable size. A young perch typically feeds on zooplankton, but as
soon as it reaches about five inches in size, it starts to feed on fish and
invertebrates, with its favorites including minnows and sticklebacks.

6. The European perch reproduces once a year and may produce more
than 150,000 eggs per female. It lays its eggs tethered to a six-foot-long
skein that drapes over vegetation and debris of wood. That way, it can
undergo fertilization without being preyed on. The larvae move to the
pelagic zone to find and feed on zooplankton and algae when they hatch.

7. Many say that the fish makes excellent food because of its white color,
firm texture, and sweet flavor. Anglers often bait the perch with pieces of
raw squid or worms, shrimp, and maggots and use various fishing
methods, including drop shot fishing and fly fishing, depending on
location.

8. Some anglers believe that the best bait to use when fishing for perch is a
lobworm. As the worm continues to wriggle in the water, it releases a
scent that attracts the perch. A barbless hook is recommended, to cause
minimal damage to the fish.

9. When fishing in still waters, anglers may consider float fishing with the
aid of a waggler and a large lobworm. They may also mix chopped
worms with the ground bait for optimum results. If they do not feel any
movement, they may reel in their bait for a bit to invite the perch.

10. However, anglers in the United States should note that the import and
trade of the perch have been federally banned under the Lacey Act. The
fish has also been listed as a species of least concern on the
International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened
Species. However, fishing for European perch can be a new experience
for travelers to Europe.