Fish species
Perch fishing
The perch (Perca fluviatilis) is one of the most popular target species of all — scrappy, widespread and beginner-friendly to catch. Here are the key tips for perch fishing.
Perch at a glance
- Best season
- Spring and autumn, possible year-round
- Best baits
- Small soft plastics, spinners, drop shot, worm
- Method
- Lure fishing, drop shot, light ledgering
- Best time of day
- Daytime, often morning and late afternoon
- Key
- Perch hunt in shoals — stay on a good spot
Locations and waters
Perch love structure: jetties, reed edges, sheet piling, sunken timber and underwater features. In lakes they hold along drop-offs and over hard bottom; in rivers in the slack behind obstructions. Big perch often sit a little deeper and more solitary than the small shoals in the shallows.
Lures and rigs
Classics are small soft plastics on a jig head, spinners, small crankbaits, mini cranks and natural baits like worm or small bait fish. A light rod, fine braided line and a thin fluorocarbon leader bring far more bites, because perch often take very cautiously.
Drop shot and light lure fishing
The drop shot rig is deadly on perch: the bait works above the bottom with small twitches and long pauses. When jigging soft plastics, the classic lift-drop works — let it sink, twitch, pause. Most bites come on the drop, so keep the line in contact.
Use shoaling behaviour cleverly
Perch often hunt in shoals. When you catch one, more are usually nearby — stay put and cast back accurately. Hunting perch drive baitfish to the surface; this surface 'boiling' is a sure sign of active fish. If the shoal moves on, stay mobile and work through likely spots.
Best season
Perch feed almost year-round. They're most active in spring and autumn, when they build up reserves. In high summer the early and late hours are better; in winter they sit deep on the bottom and only take small, slowly worked lures.
5 quick perch tips
- Catch one perch and cast straight back to the same spot — the shoal is there.
- Fish fine: a thin leader and small lures bring more cautious bites.
- Keep the line in contact — most bites come on the drop.
- Watch for surface 'boiling' as a sign of hunting perch.
- Note productive spots and lures to relocate your hotspots.
Perch fishing FAQ
What is the best bait for perch?
Small soft plastics on a jig and the drop shot rig are top, plus spinners and worm. Small and natural usually beats big and bright.
Where do I find big perch?
Big perch often sit a little deeper and on distinct structure like drop-offs, sheet piling and sunken timber — away from the small shoals in the shallows.
When do perch bite best?
In spring and autumn, mostly during the day. In summer fish early and late; in winter deep on the bottom with small, slow lures.
How do I remember good perch spots?
Record the spot, lure and conditions. In the Easy Fishing app you pin every catch on the map and quickly see where your perch hotspots are.
