Of all the fish in UK waterways, a monster perch is something most anglers aspire to catch, with their big imposing dorsal fin, striking colours and aggressive nature, they truly are a magnificent fish.
We are all familiar with perch in their juvenile stage, with small 'wasps' being most angler's first fish, but there are many waters around the UK where some truly giant fish are lurking.
Here is guide to some of the best venues for a monster perch...
Grafham Water, Cambs
As well as perch to over 5lb, this venue holds upper-30lb pike and 20lb-plus zander. Fishable until the end of January, it’s not cheap at £25 per day plus boat hire on top (£28 for two, £18 single-manned), but why not treat yourself to a session afloat on this true predator fishing Mecca?
Contact: anglianwaterparks.co.uk
HERE IS A GREAT BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HELP YOU CATCH PERCH ON LURES...
Viaduct Fisheries, Somerton, Somerset
Whilst all the lakes hold a good head of perch, for the biggest fish on the complex you want to head to Cary, Spring or Lodge lake, where fish to over 3lb are not uncommon. The best tactics tend to be float fishing with maggots or worms, with a lot of anglers having success on prawns.
Contact: viaductfishery.com
Rising Sun Fisheries, Aldwark, North Yorkshire
All three lakes hold good perch, but it’s Lake One that offers the potential of a real giant, with fish to 5lb 6oz having been caught. Lakes Two and Three hold good numbers to around 3lb, too, and all tactics will score.
Contact: risingsunfisheries.co.uk
White Springs Fishery, Swansea, South Wales
The Pit is awash with features, and fishing close to any cover hanging off an island will put you in with a chance of a huge perch. Fish to over 4lb are banked every season, and chopped worms and dead maggots packed inside a swimfeeder will help to draw them in. Use a low-resistance set-up to prevent the fish from feeling the weight of the rig.
Contact: whitespringsfishery.co.uk
River Ouse, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, Bucks
Link-legered lobworms work a treat for perch to 3lb at this Milton Keynes AA-controlled venue. Keep moving and target all the likely-looking areas with a light quivertip set-up. Loosefeed red maggots over the top, or use a bait dropper to lay down a bed of goodies and fish the baited swims in rotation.
Contact: mkaa.co.uk
Goodiford Mill, Kentisbeare, Devon
The Silvers Pool and Match Lake hold the best perch, with plenty of two- and three-pounders, as well as the chance of something much bigger. Try fishing with prawns tight to the bank on a light link leger or under a thick-topped float.
Contact: goodifordmillleisure.co.uk
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Fisherwick Lakes, Lichfield, Staffordshire
Bridge Pool produces fish in the 2lb-3lb bracket every winter, often to the simplest of tactics. Pole or waggler fishing at short range can score, as can a light leger. Try rotating worms, prawns and big bunches of maggots on the hook.
Contact: spanglefish.com/fisherwicklakes
Alderwood Ponds, Steyning, West Sussex
Fish to over 5lb have been caught from Island Pond in the past at this well-established family-run venue. Target the margins with worms and red maggots, and if you get the small silvers feeding, it won’t be long before the big perch turn up. Large prawn hookbaits are also worth a try.
Contact: alderwoodponds.com
Whinwhistle Coarse Fishery, Romsey, Hampshire
A local big perch hotspot. Keepers Lake, just outside the well stocked tackle shop and cafe, is the lake that contains the biggest perch on site. Worms in the margins seem to be the best tactic, feeding maggots over the top to draw some smaller fish in to begin with.
Contact: whinwhistlecoarsefishery.co.uk
River Nene, Orton, Peterborough, Cambs
There are ever-increasing numbers of places on the River Nene that can throw up good perch, but some of the biggest inhabit the weir known as The Staunch, at Orton, with fish to 4lb 12oz taken, with usual river tactics producing results. There are also big zander present, and a lure fishing approach is best for targeting both species.
More info: fishinginpeterborough.co.uk
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Wilstone Reservoir, Herts
This huge expanse of water on the Tring Reservoirs complex lays claim to the current joint-record perch of 6lb 3oz, which fell to feeder fished maggots, but worm tactics will also produce the goods. The other two ressies, Marsworth and Startops, also hold big perch, and all three are fishable on a day ticket (two rods).
Contact: tringanglers.org.uk
Woodside Fishery, Cleobury Mortimer, Worcs
Of the four on-site lakes, it’s the Island and Charlie’s Pools that are the best bet for an oversized stripey, with plenty of margin spots, lily pads and reeds to target. Lobworms or dendrobaenas fished over choppie, maggots and casters on the pole will work.
Contact: woodsidefishery.co.uk
Upper Tamar Lakes, Bude, Cornwall
Home to the Feedermasters final, this venue is not only infamous for bags of skimmers but for its huge, untapped perch fishing. Large fish over 3lb are regularly caught in matches so who knows what is really swimming out there, a real giant is definitely possible for those willing to put the time in. The 80-acre reservoir is fishable on a day ticket.
Contact: swlakestrust.org.uk
Whitmore Fisheries, Preston, Lancs
Big perch can be found in most of the 12 lakes here, but the Club Canal has the best form for true heavyweights, with fish to 5lb landed. It’s ideal for a pinpoint pole fishing approach to the far bank 10m away, but there is also plenty of fish-holding cover along the nearside margin. Lots of baits work well with worms being a top performer.
Contact: whitmorefisheries.co.uk
Milton Pools, Thame, Oxfordshire
House Pool holds plenty of big perch, and fishing a couple of pole lines can be key to finding them. Feed casters and chopped worms at 6m and 13m and rotate between them. Loosefed maggots falling through the water column can stimulate fish to 3lb into feeding.
Contact: miltonpools.co.uk
Old Hough, Middlewich, Cheshire
The complex has welcomed plenty of anglers searching for a new PB perch in recent weeks, and it’s Big Max lake that fishery staff always advise visitors to head for. Loosefeed maggots and a little chopped worm in the marginsfor fish to 3lb.Contact: www.oldhough.co.uk
Woodpeckers Fishery, Crawley, East Sussex
Perch to 3lb can be found in both Ospreys and Woodpeckers, and bigger baits are the way to single out the better samples. Maggots or casters will just get eaten by the lake’s abundant small roach and skimmers, meaning double worm or king prawn hookbaits are a more reliable option.
Contact: www.woodpeckersfishery.co.uk
