  AKA: perch, freshwater perch, eastern freshwater perch, bass.
MINIMUM LEGAL SIZE: 25cm.
BAG/POSSESSION LIMIT: 2.
Note: a total bag/possession limit of 40 fish applies to all scale fish species.
This Australian native freshwater fish has
excellent sporting qualities and a striking fighting aggression our of
proportion to its size. As a sportfish it is often released after
capture and is most prolific in the remote streams of eastern Gippsland.
The Australian bass is an intelligent and wary fish and has been called
the native angler’s answer to trout. Bass will respond to trout angling
methods and will easily outfight trout of a similar size. They inhabit
rivers and streams from the mouth to the upper reaches, including
waters varying from totally salt to pure fresh.
Never recorded west
of Wilson’s Promontory, Australian bass numbers have been much reduced
by the regulation of rivers in its range, preventing breeding-related
up and down stream migration.
Native Fish Australia
says bass have been successfully bred commercially and re-stocking of a
number of land locked populations has taken place as well as extensive
stocking of inland dams and reservoirs for recreational fishing. The
stocking of bass for recreational purposes has been a great success.
From the fisheries management point of view, bass's inability to breed
in such land locked lakes gives fishery departments the ability to
control the fish without concerns that they will establish wild
populations.
Often confused with estuary perch which has an
overlapping range, bass may be differentiated from estuary perch by
white edges to anal and pelvic fins, and a relatively smaller mouth.
Distinguishing features of Australian bass and estuary perch
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SIZE: Up to 50cm and 4kg although more commonly from 0.75-1kg.
WHERE:
Coastal rivers and streams in eastern Victoria, artificially stocked in
freshwater dams and impoundments. Around logs, snags and overhanging
trees and foliage.
TACKLE: Native Fish Australia
says most bass specialists use small to medium sized cast floating
lures, although trolling is effective at times. Surface lures are
especially effective on bass, although a degree of finesse is usually
required. With all lures, when fishing for bass, it is usually best to
allow the lure to float on the surface for some time before beginning
the retrieve. Occasionally pausing during the retrieve is also often
effective.
Fly fishing and associated tackle is effective in many
areas, but the best natural bass waters are often heavily overgrown and
skill is required if one is not to become hopelessly tangled in the
overhanging vegetation. Light tackle and a long spinning rod are
mandatory for the serious bass angler.
BAIT:
Along with the more popular lures, bait can also be used although a
still, dead bait lying on the bottom will consistently fail. Live
cicadas, crickets and grasshoppers can be effective and can be fished
with or without a float.
BITE: Bass will hit and fight hard and are a very fast fish.
EATING: An excellent table fish.
Some information on this page used with permission from Native Fish Australia.
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