Fish, perch family
European perch
- Maximum length
- 60cm
- Maximum weight
- 4,8kg
- Best water temperature
- 12–24 °C
- Water today (4.1 °C)
- Tolerates it, but slowed down
- Fishing districts near where it occurs
- 77
About the species European perch
How to recognise it
Dark transverse stripes on the sides, two dorsal fins (the first with spines) and red-orange pelvic fins.
Where it lives
Ponds, reservoirs and slow rivers, often in shoals near vegetation and stones.
What it feeds on
Plankton for the young, then insects and fish.
Spawning
From March to May. It lays its eggs in long strings on plants and branches.
When removing it, watch out for the spines of the dorsal fin. It is caught on a worm and small artificial lures.
Closed season, minimum size and daily limit
What the Fisheries Act says about European perch. For guidance only; check it in the fishing regulations of the district.
Minimum size
§ 12 of the Decreeno minimum size
The regulation lists this species among species with no minimum size. The user of the fishing district may set the size limit; the one in the permit and the angling rules applies.
Summary of Act no. 216/2018 Coll. and Decree no. 381/2018 Coll. (as of 6 Nov 2026). It may be out of date or contain an error, and exceptions apply on some waters. The permit and the fishing regulations of the district are binding. The fishing law, rule by rule.
Water temperature and requirements
At what temperature the species is active and how well today's water suits it.
Tolerates it, but slowed downTypical water in Slovakia is 4.1 °C today. The species tolerates this temperature (2 to 28 °C), but the water is colder than the ideal 12 to 24 °C. Fish tend to be slower and pickier.
- tolerates 2 to 28 °C
- best 12 to 24 °C
- spawning at 8 to 12 °C
- typical water today 4.1 °C
- Length
- up to 60 cm
- Weight
- up to 4.8 kg
- Oxygen
- Typical oxygen requirements
- Position in the food chain
- 4,0predator
The values are indicative and come from the FishBase database. In a particular water, fish behave according to the weather, air pressure, oxygen and food.
Where it was recorded
Fishing districts around which a record of this species exists (GBIF).
- OR Patkový Piesok
- Štrkovisko Adamov č. 1
- Štrkovisko Adamov č. 2
- Štrkovisko Oširíd
- Morava č. 7b
- Štrkovisko Boričky I.
- Štrkovisko Unín
- Dudváh č. 1
- Chorvátsky kanál
- Štrkovisko U horára
- OR Melečka č. 1
- OR Melečka č. 2
- Štrkovisko Lúčky
- Dunaj č. 3
- Štrkovisko Zelená voda 2
- Štrkovisko Zrkadlový Háj
- Dunaj č. 3 – zdrž VD (Hrušov – Čunovo)
- Dunaj č. 4
- Myjava č. 1
- Myjava č. 2a
- Dunaj č. 3 – MR Malý Zemník
- Dunaj č. 3 – MR Veľký Zemník
- Štrkovisko Kalinkovo
- Štrkovisko Rohlík
- Štrkovisko Rovinka Za Hrádzu
- Štrkovisko Rusovce
- OR Pasienok
- Štrkovisko Roličky
- Štrkovisko Šoporňa
- VN Železná studnička č. 2
- VN Železná studnička č. 3
- Štrkovisko Ľadová voda – Dunajek
- Štrkovisko Ivanka pri Dunaji
- BVN Stará Tehelňa
- Štrkovisko Zelená voda 1
- Čierna voda č. 3
77 fishing districts in total, 36 shown. Show on map
Similar species
Photo credits
- European perch: Photo: Gilles San Martin, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Zander (pikeperch): Photo: Emőke Dénes, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Ruffe: Photo: Tiit Hunt, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Minimum sizes, protection periods and permitted fishing methods are set by the fishing regulations and the conditions of the specific fishing district. Check them before you fish.