RiverFish

Perch · Perca fluviatilis

Perch in the River Wensum (central)

Largest measured perch: 40.5 cm

The largest perch measured in Environment Agency surveys of the River Wensum (central) was 40.5 cm, recorded at Swanton Morley on 5 August 2022.

Across 1,493 measured perch, the median measured length was 14 cm.

Surveyors recorded weights for 2 perch. The median was 1 lb 13.6 oz (0.8405 kg) and the largest recorded weight was 3 lb 6 oz (1.53 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 Wensum (central).

See perch records across England →

Most recent observation10 September 2025Swanton Morley · 4 fish
Largest measured perch
40.5 cm
Median length
14 cm
Fish measured
1,493
Survey locations
35

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
40.5 cm5 Aug 2022Swanton Morley161900
36.2 cm12 Jul 2019Swanton Morley156036
35.4 cm15 Sept 2008Downstream Billingford Bridge116054
35.1 cm13 Sept 2018Hellesdon Road (Albert's)154254
34.9 cm9 Oct 2009Blakes Meadow119265
34.9 cm30 Sept 2009Downstream Ringland Bridge119278
34.9 cm27 Sept 2006Lyng Pits101946
34.8 cm5 Oct 2023Hellesdon Road (Albert's)164301
34.6 cm14 Sept 2010Hellesdon Road (Albert's)123952
34.6 cm30 Sept 2009Downstream Ringland Bridge119278

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
Swanton Morley23 Jun 198610 Sept 202519
Hellesdon Road (Albert's)4 Aug 198615 Aug 202523
Alders Spinney22 Jul 198614 Aug 202522
Downstream Elsing Mill10 Jun 19947 Aug 202520
Downstream Gt Ryburgh Bridge9 Jun 19861 Aug 20258
Sparham pool, Lyng26 Sept 20136 Sept 20246
Upstream Lenwade Mill31 Jul 199013 Aug 202410
Upstream Bintree Mill12 Jun 198623 Jul 20242
County School18 Jun 19864 Sept 20186
U/s Billingford Rd Bridge7 Sept 201028 Sept 20112
Blakes Meadow17 Jul 19869 Oct 20095
Upstream Drayton Green Lane28 Aug 19908 Oct 20094
Lyng Pits25 Sept 20031 Oct 20093
Downstream Ringland Bridge30 Sept 200330 Sept 20093
Downstream Guist Bridge24 Sept 200924 Sept 20091
Attlebridge Hall Farm24 Sept 200323 Sept 20093
Downstream Billingford Bridge9 Jun 19944 Sept 20099
Walcis' Hill Meadow6 Oct 20036 Oct 20031
Downstream Attlebridge Bridge15 Jul 199722 Sept 20032
Fish Farm1 Aug 19868 Aug 19973
Heigham Waterworks14 Aug 19865 Aug 19972
Costessey Pits15 Jul 199424 Jul 19972
Pinewood16 Aug 199017 Jul 19972
Downstream Point Costessey22 Aug 19909 Jul 19973
Downstream Broken Bridges8 Aug 19948 Jul 19972
Walcis Farm30 Jul 19906 Jun 19972
Swan Rescue24 Jul 19865 Jun 19974
Upstream Elsing Mill13 May 199713 May 19971
Castle Farm25 Jun 19867 May 19973
Upstream Paddling Pool13 Aug 198613 Aug 19861
St Martins Close12 Aug 198612 Aug 19861
Edwards & Holmes Yard11 Aug 198611 Aug 19861
Sennowe Park10 Jun 198610 Jun 19861
Pensthorpe Hall10 Jun 198610 Jun 19861
Upstream Gt Ryburgh5 Jun 19865 Jun 19861

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

1986–2025

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 1,493 measured fish were spread across different length ranges.

Smallest
3 cm
Lower quarter
8.6 cm
Median
14 cm
Upper quarter
19.1 cm
Largest
40.5 cm

Lengths are direct survey measurements rather than anglers’ catches.

Fish weighed by surveyors

Measured weight summary

Recorded weights were available for 2 perch. This is a subset of the measured fish and may not represent the whole population.

Lightest
5.3 oz (0.15 kg)
Lower quarter
1 lb 1.5 oz (0.4952 kg)
Median
1 lb 13.6 oz (0.8405 kg)
Upper quarter
2 lb 9.8 oz (1.19 kg)
Heaviest
3 lb 6 oz (1.53 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 Wensum (central)

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

Pike Dace Roach European eel Gudgeon Chub

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 →