Perch, Nile
(Lates niloticus)
(Lates niloticus)
(Linneaus, 1758); CENTROPOMIDAE FAMILY; also called giant perch, Niger perch
Endemic to the African continent, they can be found in rivers and lakes in tropical regions. It is known to be present in the Blue and White Niles, the Niger and Benue rivers, and in lakes Rudolph, Albert, Tanganyika, Fayoum, and Menzaleh. Good Nile perch fishing is well known below the Aswan Dam and at the junction of the Blue and White Niles. Until recently, there were no Nile perch in Lake Victoria, but recent introductions of this species into Lake Victoria have been extremely successful, and the species is said to be prolific there now due to the availability of plentiful forage fish.
It looks very much like a larger version of the barramundi, in fact, they are close relatives in the Centropomidae Family. Adults Nile perch are generally brown to greenish brown above and silvery below. The top of the head is strongly depressed, as in the barramundi and its relative across the sea, the snook. It has a rounded (convex) tail.
Fish of 6.5 ft (2 m) long and weighing 176 lb (80 kg) have been caught and recorded by native fishermen and are said to be common. Much larger ones, up to 500 lb (226.8 kg) have been taken in nets but have gone unrecorded.
Fishing for Nile perch is best early or late in the day. Tigerfish and tilapia are common baits. Known for long, hard, powerful runs, the Nile perch provides the angler with the added benefit of being an excellent and popular eating fish with a tasty white meat
Endemic to the African continent, they can be found in rivers and lakes in tropical regions. It is known to be present in the Blue and White Niles, the Niger and Benue rivers, and in lakes Rudolph, Albert, Tanganyika, Fayoum, and Menzaleh. Good Nile perch fishing is well known below the Aswan Dam and at the junction of the Blue and White Niles. Until recently, there were no Nile perch in Lake Victoria, but recent introductions of this species into Lake Victoria have been extremely successful, and the species is said to be prolific there now due to the availability of plentiful forage fish.
It looks very much like a larger version of the barramundi, in fact, they are close relatives in the Centropomidae Family. Adults Nile perch are generally brown to greenish brown above and silvery below. The top of the head is strongly depressed, as in the barramundi and its relative across the sea, the snook. It has a rounded (convex) tail.
Fish of 6.5 ft (2 m) long and weighing 176 lb (80 kg) have been caught and recorded by native fishermen and are said to be common. Much larger ones, up to 500 lb (226.8 kg) have been taken in nets but have gone unrecorded.
Fishing for Nile perch is best early or late in the day. Tigerfish and tilapia are common baits. Known for long, hard, powerful runs, the Nile perch provides the angler with the added benefit of being an excellent and popular eating fish with a tasty white meat
