⚠️
West Coast Demersal Closure in Effect
Pearl Perch is part of the West Coast demersal scalefish closure. Boat-based recreational fishing for this species is prohibited until Spring 2027.
View full closure details →
West Coast Demersal Closure (until Spring 2027)
Pearl Perch
Glaucosoma spp.
DPIRD Category
Demersal
Peak Season
Year-round (when open)
Difficulty
Advanced
Fight Rating
★★★☆☆
Regulations & Limits
DEMERSAL
⚖️ Mixed Species Limit Applies
Pearl Perch count towards your total demersal scalefish bag limit. You can keep a maximum of 2 demersal scalefish total statewide.
Limits by Bioregion
West Coast
CLOSED
Species not commonly found in this region
South Coast
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Gascoyne
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
Pilbara
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
North Coast (Kimberley)
N/A
Species not commonly found in this region
ℹ️ Regulations can change. Always verify current rules at rules.fish.wa.gov.au
Size & Weight
| Typical Size | 30-45 cm |
| Max Size | 60 cm |
| Typical Weight | 1-3 kg |
| Max Weight | 5 kg |
Habitat
Where: Deep rocky reef and hard bottom areas
Depth: 50-200m
ID Features: Similar to dhufish but smaller; silvery-grey body with pearly sheen
Season
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Peak
Available
Poor
Peak: Year-round (when open) | Water Temp: 16-22°C
How to Catch Pearl Perch
1
Deep bottom fishing
Setup
- Line: PE 3-5
- Leader: 40-60lb fluorocarbon
Top Lures
- Slow pitch jigs
Best Baits
- Squid
- Octopus
- Fish strips
Eating Quality
Flesh: White, moist, sweet flesh similar to dhufish
Best cooked: Pan-fried, grilled, baked
The Fight
Similar to dhufish with strong head shakes and dives back to the reef. A quality catch.