Scott’s Species – redfin perch, a lovely-tasting fish albeit a pest

I am not ashamed to say I love redfin perch, writes Western Angler editor Scott Coghlan in the latest edition of Scott’s Species.

Fish: Redfin perch, Perca fluviatilis

Eating: 4.5 stars

ID: Vertical stripes, red tail and anal fins.

There is no bag limit for redfin perch and it is recommended that they are not returned to the water.

Redfin perch might not fight as well as their freshwater rivals, trout, but they are one of the prettiest and tastiest fish that can be found in inland waters in WA.

The Warren River is the ideal spot to target redfin perch for Sam Russell, of Recfishwest.

Redfin can be found in dams, rivers and streams in the South West. In dams they often runt and high numbers of small fish detract from the fishing experience as the size diminishes as the number of fish grows.

This is because they are a prolific breeder and their numbers can grow rapidly when they are introduced to a new waterway.

However, in rivers they can grow to some impressive sizes.

The Warren River, in particular, boasts some thumping redfin to an impressive 2kg. But, most fish caught will be smaller than that.

Harvey Dam is a fine redfin spot, and Pemberton’s Big Brook Dam can fish well for them.

Ben Russell with a chunky redfin from the Warren.

Redfin perch certainly love marron and any redfin caught in a location where the freshwater crustacean is found will usually have some in its stomach.

Redfin are not at all fussy, as they are voracious feeders. Most baits and lures will work if they are around.

On the lure front, small minnows and bladed spinners can be deadly, either cast or trolled depending on locations.

Soft plastics fished around snags also work well. Reddies often travel in schools and once one is caught, there will often be quite a few caught in quick succession.

In dams, search for them around structure such as dead trees, while in rivers they prefer slower sections, particularly around fully or partly submerged logs.

Light tackle is all that is needed as redfin have only a short fight, and 2kg-4kg spinning gear will be ample.

Redfin are a tremendous eating fish, with sweet white flesh that is a delight on the plate.

Having grown up in the South West, Recfishwest’s Matt Gillett loves chasing redfin perch.

Continue Reading

April 10, 2025

Recfishwest’s latest TV and radio commercials encourage fishers to stick to the beaches when chasing salmon this Easter

As thousands of fishers are heading to WA’s Southern and South-West coasts this Easter to chase massive schools of migrating salmon, Recfishwest is urging fishers to “keep the sand between their toes” by fishing…

Read More

April 01, 2025

Recfishwest welcomes new Fisheries Minister

Recfishwest welcomes the recently appointed new Minister for Fisheries, the Hon. Jackie Jarvis MLC.   Minister Jarvis was appointed the new Fisheries Minister following a cabinet reshuffle after the recent State…

Read More

April 01, 2025

Billfish tags and fish samples galore at GAMEX 2025

For 57 years, GAMEX has cemented itself as one of Australia’s biggest and best fishing tournaments. Recfishwest Operations Officer Levi De Boni, an avid game fisher himself, was on the frontlines with our Fishing…

Read More

March 27, 2025

King Reef’s “underwater laboratory” boosts scientific understanding of artificial reef benefits

Exmouth’s King Reef is proving a win for both recreational fishing and marine science, with a growing body of research highlighting the ecological value of artificial reefs built with repurposed steel structures…

Read More

March 26, 2025

Recfishwest in national media – AUKUS defence must not come at the expense of Cockburn Sound

Recfishwest has joined growing calls for a full public environmental review of the AUKUS submarine development’s impacts on Cockburn Sound.  In an Australian Financial Review article earlier this month, Recfishwest…

Read More

March 24, 2025

Fishing leaders welcome long overdue national workshops on tackling shark bite-off

WA fishing experts and Recfishwest have welcomed the opportunity to have their say on beginning to combat the wicked problem of shark bite-off at a series of workshops throughout WA and several other states.   The…

Read More