Commonly referred to as Silvers!
Silver perch are a fresh water species endemic to the Murray – Darling river system found in south eastern Australia. They have been farmed with great success through out Western Australia’s S/W but have unfortunately not faired too well in natural environments throughout Australia. This is possibly due to their need for flood conditions in order to induce spawning, decades of low water levels and droughts have certainly taken their toll on this iconic Aussie battler!
Silvers are a highly sought after farm fish along the S/W coast of inland Western Australia and can be located in most private impoundment dams and fish farms throughout the majestic south west. They are also found in S.A., VIC, N.S.W. and Tasmania.
Silver perch can grow to around 60cm in length and weigh as much as 10kg! Although most fish encountered throughout Australia average around 1 – 2kg in weight.
Click HERE to see the HUGE SILVER PERCH OF LAKE BIDYANUS
Silver perch prefer fresh water rivers, dams and streams with cooler temperatures averaging 15 – 25 degrees.
Silver perch can be easily identified by their typical perch shaped body which, as their name suggests is generally silver in colouration. Fish may be darker in colour depending on the water quality they are encountered in.
Silver perch are as good eating as most fresh water species! A bit bland for me.
Silver perch are highly regarded as a quality freshwater sport fish and can grow to phenomenal sizes!
Ultra light and light graphite spin rods 6’6” – 7’ in length that will cope with gel spun and braided lines rated from 1 – 4kg are ideally suited to targeting silver perch and when coupled with quality spin reels in the 1000 – 2500 class make excellent outfits for throwing both baits and lures. Larger outfits spooled with heavier 10 – 12lb nylon line can also be used when targeting larger fish around heavy cover with baits but will struggle to cast small hard bodied and soft plastic lures. Fluoro carbon leaders with breaking strains of 2 – 10lb should also be joined to mainlines via an improved albrite knot and not only prevent the fish from seeing your brightly coloured main line but also help from being chaffed of on rough underwater structures.
Fresh or live earth worms, night crawlers and small insects are an ideal bait option for chasing big silver perch and should be fished on a pattern and size of hook that’s suit’s the bait. Example – earth worm fished on bait holder pattern of hook similar in size to the bait. Hard bodied, sub surface and soft plastic lures from 50mm – 100mm in length will also temp big silvers into striking with this exciting new style of fishing really taking off amongst all anglers from beginners to the pro’s over the last few years. Many tournaments and clubs have now been set up to encourage and educate the new generation of freshwater
fishing fanatics.
Most fresh water and small salt water lures will tempt silver perch into striking, especially if they resemble small crawfish or yabbies!
Low light periods such as dawn and dusk are preferred for most forms of fishing including freshwater and a rising barometer also helps.
