Top European Perch Fishing Countries

The European perch (Perca fluviatilis) is a popular freshwater fish species known for its striking greenish body with dark vertical stripes and red-tipped fins, thriving in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across Europe and northern Asia. Renowned for its sporting qualities and delicate white flesh, the perch supports both commercial and recreational fisheries. The top European perch fishing countries include Russia, Finland, Sweden, Estonia, and Poland, where the species is abundant and targeted by both local anglers and commercial operations. In these countries, perch are harvested using a variety of methods such as gillnetting, angling, and ice fishing, with the catch contributing significantly to local economies and traditional cuisines. The fishing industry in these regions is well-regulated, balancing commercial interests with sustainability to ensure healthy perch populations for future generations.

RankCountryMetric Tons
1Russian Federation17,308
2Finland12,661
3Sweden2,706
4Estonia1,627
5Kazakhstan1,218
6Poland770
7Switzerland427
8United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland300
9Albania222
10Germany151
11Netherlands (Kingdom of the)120
12Lithuania35
13Türkiye34
14Latvia29
15Serbia26
16Romania23
17Ukraine21
18Greece17
19Belgium12
21Belarus10
21France10
21Czechia10
23Denmark6
24Hungary3
24Slovenia3

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.