Perch Fishing in France Description

Perch is the vernacular name for many species. When it comes to France, the relevant one is the European Perch (or perca fluviatilis) also known as ‘redfin perch’ or ‘English perch‘, this highly predatory species is foremost found in Europe and Asia. They are oval-shaped, greenish with red fins; their size varies according to the body of water. Considered to be very good eating, they are a popular panfish and the commercial demand for them has therefore always been in high demand. Its flesh is very appreciated, especially in fillets.

These fish are carnivorous and live mainly on bugs, larvae, alevins and shellfish. They particularly subject to natural selection; from hundreds alevins packs to only dozen adult perches packs. As regards their habits, perch are herding and like to gather in shoals in immersed dead trees, along pontoons and between ships. Biggest specimens tend however to be more solitary. Under some conditions, perch are so numerous that they suffer from dwarfism and become cannibal.

Perch Fishing in France Details

These fish are to be found in still and low altitude freshwaters: ponds and lakes as well as in canals, rivers and streams. They do not like muddy bottoms and therefore always stay near clean areas. Since they need quite dense shelters, they generally hide in rivers under logs or in cover just on top of the water. In some lakes, they can go up to -30 m depth. Perch can be caught with a variety of methods; as follows is an overview of the most common ones.

• Float fishing: when float fished, many baits will work well: maggots, casters, cubes of cheese, bread, sweetcorn but also meat chunks. The most traditional way is however to use a lobworm. Due to the hunting instinct and greedy appetite of perch, this method is pretty popular.
• Legering: another successful method is legering using the common baits. Since perch are highly predatory and in some cases cannibalistic, legering with a dead minnow for instance will allow you to catch large specimens.
• Spinning: it is the most effective method if fishing in large still waters such as lakes, ponds or gravel pits. The use of a twinkling fly spoon is highly recommended. You should also keep in mind that a lure travelling through the water at different speeds resembles a panicked fish and therefore tempts the hunting instincts of a hungry perch.
• Ice fishing: it proves to be very successful. Indeed, in winter perch tend to school up more often and suspend over deep water. Jigging is then the most appropriate method, beginning near the bottom when not knowing what depth the fish are.

Tip: To attract perch more easily, just nip the bottom part of the worm's tail. This releases scent into the water to help perch find your hook bait.