Estuary Perch
The estuary perch, Percalates colonorum, is a catadromous fish native to eastern and southern Australia. It inhabits coastal rivers, estuaries, and lakes, often moving between fresh and brackish waters. Known for its silvery body and dark fins, it is a popular game fish among anglers due to its fighting ability and prevalence.
Length~40 (max 75)
Weight~2 (max 10)
WaterFresh, brackish
Water Temp14-20° F
- Other names-
- Length~40 (max 75)
- Weight~2 (max 10)
- WaterFresh, brackish
- Water Temp14-20° F
Popular lures for Estuary Perch
Regulation for Estuary Perch
- SeasonAlways open
- Bag limit2
- Vessel limit-
- Trophy limits>35 (1 fish)
- Max size-
- Min sizeNo
- MeasurementTotal length
- Prohibited methods-
Living Conditions
🐟 Habitat preferences
- Estuary perch thrive in tidal rivers, estuaries, and coastal lakes
- They prefer waters with salinities less than 1-2 ppt
- Their diet includes small fish, mollusks, worms, and crustaceans
- Juveniles inhabit sheltered areas with abundant vegetation for protection and feeding
♻️ Life cycle and mating behavior
- Spawning occurs in winter, with adults moving to the mouth of estuaries to breed
- Eggs are pelagic, hatching in 2-3 days
- Juveniles remain in protected areas before migrating to adult habitats
- Estuary perch exhibit strong site fidelity, often returning to the same spawning grounds annually