Few freshwater fish generate as much enthusiasm among Australian anglers as the redfin perch. Also known simply as redfin, English perch or European perch, this hard-fighting fish is now a familiar part of freshwater fishing across much of southern Australia.
With its distinctive dark vertical bars, olive-green body, bright red fins and aggressive nature, redfin is a favourite target for lure anglers, bait fishers and families looking for a reliable freshwater catch.
But redfin has a fascinating history in Australia — and its story is also one of environmental controversy.
What is a Redfin?
The redfin perch (Perca fluviatilis) is a member of the perch family, Percidae. It is native to Europe and parts of northern Asia, where it is widely distributed and has long been an important sport and table fish.
In Australia, it is commonly called redfin, redfin perch, English perch or European perch.
It is easy to recognise. A typical redfin has:
- An olive-green to golden body
- Several dark vertical bands along its sides
- A distinctive black mark on the first dorsal fin
- Bright orange-red pelvic, anal and tail fins
- Two dorsal fins
- A relatively large mouth
- A deep, slightly hump-backed body
These markings become particularly striking on larger fish.
Redfin are predators, with adults feeding on insects, crustaceans, worms and smaller fish.
The History of Redfin in Australia
Redfin isn’t native to Australia.
The species was brought from Europe during the 19th century, primarily because acclimatisation societies wanted to introduce familiar European fish for recreational fishing and food.
Redfin were introduced into Tasmania around 1862, followed by Victoria in the 1860s. The Victorian Fisheries Authority records their introduction to Victoria in 1868, while the Australian Museum describes their arrival in Australia as around 1860.
One particularly interesting part of the story concerns Ballarat.
According to historical accounts from local fishing organisations, seven redfin were released near Ballarat in 1868, forming the foundation of the mainland population.
From those early introductions, redfin gradually spread throughout suitable freshwater systems.
They were subsequently introduced into other parts of Australia, including South Australia and south-west Western Australia. In Western Australia, redfin were stocked into waterways during the late 19th century, including in 1892.
Today, redfin are firmly established across large areas of southern Australia.
Where Are Redfin Found?
Redfin have adapted extremely well to Australia’s temperate freshwater environments.
They are found in:
- Rivers
- Creeks
- Lakes
- Reservoirs
- Dams
- Billabongs
- Swamps
- Backwaters
- Areas with aquatic weed and structure
They generally prefer still or slow-flowing water, particularly where there is plenty of vegetation and cover.
In Australia, established populations occur across:
Victoria
Redfin are widespread and common throughout many Victorian lakes, rivers and streams.
New South Wales
They are widespread through many cooler freshwater areas, including parts of the Murray-Darling system.
Tasmania
Redfin are well established in both lakes and rivers.
South Australia
Populations occur particularly in cooler southern freshwater systems.
Western Australia
Redfin have established populations in parts of south-west WA.
They are generally absent from Queensland and are limited by warmer water temperatures. Victorian Fisheries Authority notes that their distribution appears to be restricted when water temperatures rise to around 31°C.
Why Do Redfin Thrive in Australian Waters?
One of the reasons redfin have been so successful is their ability to adapt to a wide variety of freshwater environments.
They can live in lakes, dams, rivers and slower-moving streams, and they are opportunistic predators.
They also reproduce successfully.
Spawning generally occurs during late winter and spring in Australia. Females produce long, gelatinous ribbons containing thousands of eggs, which are attached to aquatic vegetation and submerged structure. The eggs are relatively unattractive to other fish, providing them with a degree of protection.
Young redfin initially form schools before becoming more solitary as they grow.
This combination of adaptable habitat preferences, successful reproduction and predatory behaviour has helped them establish populations across much of southern Australia.
Are Redfin a Pest?
This is where the redfin story becomes complicated.
Redfin are considered an introduced species in Australia and can have significant impacts on native fish populations.
They are predators, and their diet includes smaller native fish. They can also compete with native species for food and habitat. Research has linked redfin with impacts on native fish communities, including species such as pygmy perch, galaxiids and Macquarie perch.
Redfin can also become extremely numerous in some smaller waterways. When populations become very dense, individual fish may remain small and become stunted.
For these reasons, anglers should always check the regulations applying to the waterway they are fishing and should never move live redfin between waterways.
In Victoria, for example, authorities discourage the translocation of live redfin partly because of disease concerns.
Why Do Anglers Love Catching Redfin?
Despite their environmental impact, redfin are extremely popular with recreational anglers.
The reason is simple:
They love eating lures.
Redfin can be aggressive predators and are often willing to chase relatively small artificial lures. They also provide excellent sport on light tackle.
For beginners, they’re a great fish to target because they can often be found in good numbers and will take a variety of techniques.
For experienced anglers, the challenge becomes finding the big redfin.
While many Australian redfin are relatively small, trophy fish exceeding 40 cm are caught, and fish over 50 cm are possible.
A big redfin smashing a lure on light tackle can be an unforgettable freshwater fishing experience.
How to Catch Redfin
1. Soft Plastics
Soft plastics are one of the most versatile ways to target redfin.
Small paddle tails, minnows and grub-style plastics can be worked around:
- Weed edges
- Drop-offs
- Rocky structure
- Timber
- Steep banks
- Deeper water
Try casting around structure and allowing the lure to sink before retrieving it with short hops and pauses.
Redfin often strike as the lure is falling.
2. Hardbody Lures
Small hardbody minnows and shallow-diving lures are another excellent option.
Try working them:
- Along weed beds
- Around submerged timber
- Beside rocky banks
- Across shallow flats
- Around drop-offs
Redfin are visual predators and can be particularly aggressive when they’re actively feeding.
3. Spinners and Spoons
Small metal lures can be deadly on redfin.
A spinner or spoon can be cast a long way and retrieved at different depths.
This makes them particularly useful when you’re searching large areas of water to locate a school.
4. Jigging
When redfin are holding deeper, jigging can be extremely effective.
Look for schools around:
- Deep drop-offs
- Old creek channels
- Steep underwater banks
- Submerged trees
- Deep weed edges
Small metal jigs and soft plastics can be worked vertically or cast and retrieved through the fish.
5. Bait Fishing
Redfin aren’t exclusively lure eaters.
They can also be caught using natural baits such as worms and other permitted freshwater baits. Natural and artificial bait are both recognised methods for catching the species.
A simple bait rig fished around weed, structure or deeper water can be very effective.
For young anglers or families, bait fishing is often one of the easiest ways to get started.
When Is the Best Time to Catch Redfin?
Redfin can be caught throughout the year, but water temperature and feeding activity make a big difference.
They are generally associated with cooler temperate waters and are often particularly active during the cooler months.
Early morning and late afternoon can also be productive because redfin are active visual predators and often feed strongly around periods of changing light.
During warmer periods, look for deeper, cooler water.
During cooler weather, redfin may move into shallower areas to feed.
Finding Big Redfin
Catching numbers of small redfin is one thing.
Finding a big redfin is another.
Larger fish are often worth targeting around deeper structure and areas where food is concentrated.
Look for:
Drop-offs – particularly where shallow flats fall rapidly into deep water.
Weed edges – weed provides cover for smaller baitfish and aquatic creatures.
Timber – submerged trees and branches provide excellent ambush locations.
Rocky structure – redfin often use structure to hunt.
Deep water – especially during warmer weather.
Baitfish – where there’s food, predators usually aren’t far away.
Modern fish finders can also make it much easier to locate schools and identify changes in depth and underwater structure.
What Makes Redfin Such a Great Sport Fish?
Redfin aren’t the biggest freshwater fish in Australia.
They’re not as powerful as a Murray cod, nor do they reach the size of some of Australia’s larger native species.
But they have something else going for them:
Attitude.
Redfin are aggressive predators that will often attack lures considerably larger than you’d expect.
They’re widespread, visually spectacular, relatively easy to target and capable of providing excellent light-tackle sport.
And when you finally find a big, heavily barred redfin with bright red fins, you understand why so many Australian anglers become obsessed with chasing them.
Redfin: Australia’s Unlikely Freshwater Predator
Redfin arrived in Australia more than 150 years ago as an introduced European fish.
Today, they are an established part of freshwater fishing across much of southern Australia.
Their history isn’t without controversy. Their impact on native fish populations means they need to be treated responsibly, and anglers should never move live fish between waterways.
But from a recreational fishing perspective, redfin have become one of Australia’s most accessible freshwater sport fish.
Whether you’re casting a small soft plastic from the bank, trolling a hardbody from a boat or sitting beside a dam waiting for the bite, there’s something satisfying about chasing a redfin.
Find the fish. Make the cast. Feel the strike.
That’s what redfin fishing is all about.
Real Strike Fishing
At Real Strike, we’re passionate about Australian fishing and the fish that keep anglers coming back for another cast.
From redfin and trout to Australia’s legendary freshwater predators, our fishing-inspired designs are made for people who love being on the water.
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