The best perch lake in the world
Imagine a venue where the average size of the perch is 5lb and 4lb fish are put back unweighed.
Well, you’ve just pictured the aptly-name Perchzilla Lake near Bilbao, northern Spain, which has just produced a new venue record stripey of 2.96kg (6lb 8oz) to Spanish angler Dani Hidalgo.
The 54cm-long specimen was 5oz over the official British best, but the venue’s owners expect several 3kg-plus fish to show when the fish are at their heaviest this spring.
In 2017 alone Perchzilla saw at least 10 different fish over 2.5kg (5lb 8oz) caught and more than 200 weighing 2kg or more.
So why is Perchzilla so prolific? Jairo Gomez organises visits to the man-made venue and says that the excellent water quality and availability of natural food helps fish reach great sizes.
What’s more, the venue bosses are welcoming UK anglers with open arms.
“The lake is located in a valley between mountains. Usually the air currents are high so the oxygen levels are very favourable. We also have a lot of American signal crayfish and small fish, which the perch eat,” says Jario.
“The water is fit for human consumption. In the depths of the lake there are five sunken villages with houses, bridges, roads and mills. All these structures serve as shelters for predatory fish.
“The average perch from January to April was 52cm and 2.5kg. None of our new customers have gone home without smashing their previous record!
“If we get a perch of 2.3kg we don’t usually weigh it!” continued Jairo. Fishing on this amazing water is restricted to one small group at a time, and a professional local guide is always on hand.
Full packages are available, including accommodation, airport transfers, meals delivered, licences and documentation. You can even hire a Go Pro camera to film your day’s fishing trip.
For more information see the website www.perchzilla.com
