Why perch?
If you fish a day from the boat you want action — and perch is the fish for that. They hunt in shoals, feed actively and hit lures eagerly. The Westeinderplassen hold lots of perch of all sizes, with serious fish of 35 to 45 centimetres along the deeper edges in autumn and winter. From a boat you reach exactly the places that are unreachable from the bank.
Where are the perch?
- Jetties, posts and bridges — wood and shade attract small fish, and perch hunt around them. Fish vertically along them or cast just past them and work the lure back.
- Small harbours and passages — sheltered water with plenty of food. Ideal in wind.
- Edges of channels — in winter the bigger perch drop to the transitions from shallow to deep. Fish slowly along the bottom.
- Under diving gulls — birds diving on open water mean baitfish with perch underneath. Cruise over quietly and cast into it.
Tackle and techniques
A light spinning rod of 2 to 15 grams, thin braid and a fluorocarbon leader of 0.20–0.25 mm are enough. The three techniques that score most often on the lake:
- Drop shot — the small lure above the weight hangs almost still along posts and on channel edges. The technique for cold water and cautious fish.
- Small shads and twisters (5–8 cm) on a 3–7 gram jig head — slowly “hopped” along the bottom on the edges.
- Small cranks and spinners — covering water quickly in autumn when the perch are still shallow and active.
Note: in winter a pike on light perch gear is no exception. A thin wire trace or heavy fluorocarbon (0.40 mm) prevents bite-offs, and a big unhooking mat and pliers always belong on board.
Season and rules
You may catch perch all year except during the closed season from 1 April up to and including the last Saturday of May. In autumn (October–November) perch are most active; in winter you fish slower and deeper. A valid VISpas is mandatory — see VISpas & rules. Combined with a pike rod on board you have the perfect winter day: also read pike fishing on the Westeinderplassen.
Boat hire
Our aluminium fishing boats are stable enough to cast standing up and have room for two or three anglers. Hire a fishing boat in Aalsmeer for €150 per day, fuel included and no licence needed.