Perch are easily identifiable by their stocky, torpedo-shaped bodies and their bifurcated dorsal fin.
The front portion of the fin is jagged and spiked, while the rear portion is smooth to the touch. They have white underbellies and are usually bright green to olive or golden brown in colour with roughly 6 – 7 bars around their torsos. Average catch size typically ranges from 8 – 12 inches with some specimens exceeding 15 inches and 2 pounds.
When cooked, their meat is lean and white with a sweet but relatively mild mild flavour, with no fishy odour (an attractive characteristic for many). Their behaviour patterns are fairly predictable, making them a prime target for anglers. During warmer months, they congregate in the middle of lakes, whereas in the cooler months, they’ll be found closer to the shores.
These versatile fish can be found in warm and cool lake waters, as well as the occasional pond and river. They thrive in clear waters with gravel, sand, or muck bottoms and they like to inhabit weedy areas
but can also be found in more open waters. They like to feed in shallow waters near dawn or dusk, which is when the odds will be in your favour to hook a Perch.