Top venues for a monster perch
ALDERWOOD PONDS, STEYNING, WEST SUSSEX
A small tub of prawns will be enough bait to tempt a raft of fish to over 3lb from the Island Pond. Fish no more than a couple of rodlengths out. Contact: 01903 816377 Postcode: BN44 3AA
EYE KETTLEBY LAKES, MELTON MOWBRAY, LEICS
Perch to 4lb are a possibility on Lake 5 to legered worm hookbaits. Cast tight to the overhanging trees on the island, where the water drops to 7ft. Contact: 01664 565900 Postcode: LE14 2TN
GAS STREET BASIN, BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE
If you’re a drop shot or jig angler then this intimate basin stretch is perfect for you – with perch to 3lb a reality. Part of the Canal and River Trust’s ‘Waterway Wanderers Scheme’ for £20 a year. Contact: 0121 344 3333, Fosters of Birmingham Postcode: B1 2JT
HUDDERSFIELD BROAD CANAL, HUDDERSFIELD, W YORKS With old mill houses and railway lines you don’t get much more urban than this, but the fishing here is excellent, with a huge head big stripeys to go at on lures. Contact: 01484 545032, Chris Roberts Fishing Tackle Prices: £3.50 from Chris Roberts Fishing Tackle, Mirfield AC PITSFORD WATER, HOLCOT, NORTHANTS
The start of the predator season on this Anglian Water-run fishery has already produced lots of big perch to nearly 4lb on jigs, drop-shot fry imitations and lures. Contact: 01604 781350 Postcode: NN6 9SJ
RIVER OUSE, STONY STRATFORD, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKS
Link-legered lobworms work a treat for perch to 3lb here. Bait dropper plenty of chopped worm and maggot into the margins and fish a lobworm over the top to catch. Contact: 01908 374400, Milton Keynes Angling Centre Prices: £7 a day, Milton Keynes AA
ULLEY RESERVOIR, ROTHERHAM, SOUTH YORKS
Anglers have been sacking up on big perch recently by fishing chopped worm and maggot on the deck in around 12ft of water. Expect lots of perch to 3lb to show. Contact: 07398 505821 Postcode: S26 3XL
WHITE SPRINGS FISHERY, SWANSEA, SOUTH WALES
A 5lb perch is a dream specimen, but visit the Old Canal and it could become a reality. Snags down the margins and against the island provide the perfect habitat for these predators. Contact: 01792 885699 Postcode: SA4 8QG
PEATLING POOLS, LUTTERWORTH, LEICS
The Parva and Malcolm pools both offer a realistic chance of catching a 3lb-plus perch as the conditions get colder. The margins are where you’ll find them, with live red maggots and segments of chopped worm favoured on the hook and as feed. Contact: 07860 644023 Postcode: LE17 5PU
MOORLANDS FARM, KIDDERMINSTER, WORCS
Most of the lakes are home to quality predators, although Meadow Pool has been the most prolific of late. The fish can usually be found in the deep margins. Contact: 01299 250427 Postcode: DY11 7XN
VIADUCT FISHERIES, SOMERTON, SOMERSET
Campbell Lake is usually reserved for matches, but during the winter perch anglers are allowed to target its shoals that run to over 4lb. Fish just off the end of the platform or towards reed beds. Contact: 01458 274022 Postcode: TA11 6LJ