Specimen perch can be caught all over the country but finding a true monster near you can be quite difficult... However, commercial fisheries are a great place to start. These stillwaters are the perfect habitat for big perch to thrive with lots of room to hunt and silverfish to eat. Struggling to think of a venue where you can go fishing for a new personal best perch? Don’t worry, here are 15 venues to get you started.
ALDERWOOD PONDS, STEYNING, SUSSEX
A small tub of prawns will be enough bait to tempt a raft of fish to over 3lb from the Island Pond. Fish no more than a couple of rod lengths out and feed plenty of red maggots to get the prey fish and perch into your swim.
Contact: 01903 816377
Website: www.alderwoodponds.wordpress.com
Postcode: BN44 3AA
ATHERSLEY MEMORIAL LAKE, BARNSLEY, SOUTH YORKS
Tiny sections of worm alongside a few casters will produce perch over 3lb. The pegs in the mid-teens close to the reed beds are the hotspots.
Contact: 07402 682899
Postcode: S71 3JU
BUTTONHOLE LAKE, WISBECH, CAMBS
Virtually everything that gets stocked in here grows enormous and the same goes for the perch which have been banked to almost 4lb. Worms fished close to any reed beds should get you bites.
Contact: 01945 430629
Postcode: PE14 8EY
DECOY LAKES, WHITTLESEY, CAMBS
This fishery is highly regarded for its carp action but it is also growing a reputation for perch to over 3lb. Fish close to the dead lily beds on Horseshoe Lake for the best results.
Contact: 01733 202230
Website: www.decoylakes.co.uk
Postcode: PE7 2AD
EYE KETTLEBY LAKES, MELTON MOWBRAY, LEICS
Perch to 4lb are a possibility on Lake 5 with legered worm hookbaits favoured. Cast tight to the overhanging trees on the island where the water drops to 7ft to be in with a chance of catching a belter.
Contact: 01664 565900
Website: www.eyekettlebylakes.com
Postcode: LE14 2TN
GOLDEN POND FISHERY, ANDOVER, HANTS
Locate the overhanging trees and underwater roots and the perch will be lingering nearby. Fish to 4lb can be taken on the pole or waggler on maggot and caster hookbaits.
Contact: 07734 669738
Website: www.goldenpondfishery.co.uk
Postcode: SP11 7LA
HAMPTON SPRINGS, HAMPTON MALPAS, CHESHIRE
Fishing close to the islands on Alice Springs will put you in with a chance of finding a perch nudging 4lb. Try the straight lead or waggler with maggots and worms for a nice bag of perch.
Contact: 01948 820789
Website: www.hamptonsprings.co.uk
Postcode: SY14 8AD
MAKINS FISHERY, WOLVEY, WARKS
Fishing in the deep water on Anchor Lake will put you in with a chance of a 3lb plus specimen. The predators target the silverfish shoals in here and you can target theme by feeding plenty of maggots and pinkies.
Contact: 01455 220877
Website: www.makinsfishery.co.uk
Postcode: CV11 6QJ
MOORLANDS FARM FISHERY, KIDDERMINSTER, WORCS
Most of the lakes are home to quality predators although Meadow Pool has been the most prolific of late. The fish can usually be found in the deep margins.
Contact: 01299 250427
Website: www.moorlands-farm.co.uk
Postcode: DY11 7XN
TRICKLEBROOK FISHERY, FIVE OAK GREEN, KENT
The Main Lake is the place to head for perch over 4lb and any areas providing cover are worth trying. Worms, casters and maggots should all be in your bait bag.
Contact: 07743 955812
Postcode: TN12 6SH
VIADUCT FISHERIES, SOMERTON, SOMERSET
Campbell Lake is usually reserved for matches but during the winter perch anglers are allowed to target its shoals that run to over 4lb. Fish just off the end of the platform or towards reed beds. The other lakes also hold a good number of perch if you can’t get down to fish Campbell Lake this winter.
Contact: 01458 274022
Website: www.viaductfishery.com
Postcode: TA11 6LJ
WANSFORD FISHERY, DRIFFIELD, EAST YORKS
The Coarse Lake is home to plenty of dense reed beds and this is where huge perch to 5lb will lie. Worms coated in Van Den Eynde Predator Plus will give you an edge.
Contact: 07887 662796
Website: www.wansfordfishery.co.uk
Postcodes: YO25 8JJ
WHITE SPRINGS FISHERY, SWANSEA, SOUTH WALES
A 5lb perch is a dream specimen but visit the Old Canal and it could become a reality. Snags down the margins and against the island provide the perfect swim.
Contact: 01792 885699
Website: www.whitespringsfishery.co.uk
Postcode: SA4 8QG
WHITMORE FISHERIES, PRESTON, LANCS
Island Pond, The Basin and Club Canal have all produced perch over 4lb in the past. Use a straight lead or long pole over minimal feed to catch.
Contact: 01253 836224
Website: www.whitmorefisheries.co.uk
Postcode: PR4 3HQ
WOODHOUSE GRANGE FISHERIES, DONCASTER, SOUTH YORKS
The carp have backed off the feed as a result of the frosts but big perch to 3lb are still willing to feed on maggots or worms on Lilly Lake.
Contact: 07936 647588
Website: www.woodhousegrangefisheries.co.uk
Postcode: DN7 6DU