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🐠 Perch
A striking, unmistakable predator and one of the easier species for beginners to target, since it will often take a bait or lure aggressively and in good numbers.
Identification
Unmistakable: dark green-gold flanks with five to nine vertical dark bars, a spiny first dorsal fin, and bright orange-red lower fins. Juveniles shoal tightly and can be caught in numbers; larger specimens tend to be solitary.
UK habitat
Found across the UK in rivers, canals, lakes and reservoirs, often near structure, sunken trees, reed margins, bridge pilings, where it ambushes small fish and invertebrates. One of the most reliable species for winter fishing when many other species go quiet.