RiverFish

Perch · Perca fluviatilis

Perch in the River Chelmer

Largest measured perch: 40.3 cm

The largest perch measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Chelmer was 40.3 cm, recorded at Sugar Mills on 14 June 2019.

Across 4,866 measured perch, the median measured length was 12.8 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 6 perch. The median was 3.2 oz (0.092 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 1 lb 15.3 oz (0.887 kg).

RiverFish uses Environment Agency survey measurements rather than rod-and-line angling records. These figures show fish measured during EA surveys of the River Chelmer.

See perch records across England →

Most recent observation25 September 2025Chelmsford Viaduct · 3 fish
Largest measured perch
40.3 cm
Median length
12.8 cm
Fish measured
4,866
Survey locations
33

Individual EA measurements

Largest measured perch

The largest individual measurements in this river and species dataset. Equal measurements are retained as separate surveyed fish.

LengthSurvey dateSurvey locationSurvey ID
40.3 cm14 Jun 2019Sugar Mills156029
37.2 cm12 Jul 2016Barnes Mill148597
37.1 cm26 Oct 2007Downstream Stonhams Lock107869
37 cm3 Oct 1983Langley Waltham60520
36.5 cm5 Jun 2009Barnes Mill117451
36.2 cm26 Oct 2007Downstream Stonhams Lock107869
35.9 cm5 Jul 2022Barnes Mill162138
35.2 cm27 Jul 2001Chelmsford Viaduct20141
35.1 cm31 Oct 2007Gasworks Reach108157
35.1 cm21 Aug 1986Downstream Croxtons14286

Lengths are direct survey measurements. RiverFish does not estimate fish weights from length.

Explore the river

Where perch were found

Each point marks a survey location with at least one perch record.

Choose a point on the map to see what was recorded there.

Map points are approximate and don’t show fishing access. Check local permissions before visiting.

Place surveyedFirst recordedLast recordedVisits finding perch
Chelmsford Viaduct14 Oct 198325 Sept 202514
Upstream Croxtons10 Oct 198320 Aug 202512
A12 Bridge (C&B Canal)11 Jul 19869 Jul 202512
Barnes Mill6 Jul 19894 Jul 202519
Downstream Paper Mills26 Jun 198626 Jun 202520
Brookend9 Jul 198625 Jun 202520
Cuton Hall10 Jul 198916 Jun 202513
Boreham Bridge (C&B Canal)4 Jul 198913 Jun 202519
Hoe Mill Cut27 Jun 198912 Jun 202513
Sugar Mills7 Jul 19926 Jun 202517
Downstream Ricketts Lock23 Jun 19865 Jun 202514
Camsix Farm A14 Aug 200122 Aug 20192
Ricketts Cut25 Jun 198626 Jun 201911
Felstead A17 Sept 20106 Oct 20163
Little Waltham4 Oct 198321 Sept 20169
Upstream Beeleigh Lock15 Oct 19863 Nov 20109
Gasworks Reach11 Nov 198628 Oct 20108
Downstream Croxtons7 Oct 198311 Aug 201010
Sandford Cut14 Jul 198629 Jun 20109
Ulting Church28 Jun 198923 Jun 20108
Kings Mill5 Jul 198916 Jun 20108
Upstream Sandford Lock3 Nov 19861 Nov 20078
Sandford30 Oct 198630 Oct 20078
Downstream Stonhams Lock29 Oct 198626 Oct 20078
Upstream Paper Mills28 Oct 198625 Oct 20078
Cuton Lock19 Oct 198922 Oct 20077
Upstream Ricketts Lock17 Oct 198619 Oct 20078
Upstream Rushes Lock27 Oct 198618 Oct 20078
Hoe Mill20 Oct 198617 Oct 20078
Hoffmans Mill12 Oct 19832 Aug 20078
Springfield11 Oct 19835 Aug 20046
Langley Waltham3 Oct 19837 Aug 20015
Churchend FGS26 Aug 199826 Aug 19981

Choose a point or table row to see the location. More survey visits can mean more records, but not necessarily more fish.

1983–2025

Survey records by year

Each bar shows how many survey visits recorded perch that year.

Fish measured by surveyors

Measured length distribution

See how the 4,866 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
1.9 cm
Lower quarter
9.1 cm
Median
12.8 cm
Upper quarter
16.4 cm
Largest
40.3 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 6 perch. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
2.1 oz (0.059 kg)
Lower quarter
2.8 oz (0.0785 kg)
Median
3.2 oz (0.092 kg)
Upper quarter
11.3 oz (0.3208 kg)
Heaviest
1 lb 15.3 oz (0.887 kg)

These are direct individual weights recorded by Environment Agency surveyors. Combined bulk weights are not included.

More fish in this river

Explore the River Chelmer

Compare other species with enough survey and measurement data for a detailed page.

Chub Roach Pike Dace Gudgeon European eel

Before you fish

Good to know

These are past survey records, so the fish present today may be different. Map points are approximate—check local access, permissions and fishing rules before visiting.

Learn how RiverFish uses the data →