PERCH: Golden
Sci: Macquaria ambigua

Common Names: This inland species is widely known throughout outback New South Wales and Queensland as the yellowbelly or yellow-belly. In South Australia and parts of Victoria, it is called callop, and at the fish markets, it is sometimes presented as "Murray perch".

Description: A relatively large perch with a convex or outward-curving tail margin and strongly concave or "scooped" forehead profile. Body colouration ranges from a handsome, dark coppery-bronze with green reflections in clear water, though to pale, yellowish-white in muddy locations. It is sometimes faintly barred or irregularly speckled, especially in clear water. The fish's belly is usually creamy-yellow, but sometimes appears bright lemon-yellow.

Size: Most golden perch taken by anglers weigh from 0.2 to 3 kg, although in some areas (particularly lakes and dams) 4 to 6 kg specimens are far from uncommon. Fish over 7 kg are highly prized, and 10 kg-plus golden perch are exceptional. Nonetheless, this species has been reported in the past at weights as great 23 kg!

Distribution:: The golden perch is the most widespread and prolific of all our large inland native fish, and is found in four states and both territories. Its natural range is thought to encompass most of the Murray/Darling system, excluding the highest alpine headwaters, as well as the Dawson/Fitzroy drainage of central Queensland, Lake Eyre and the Coopers Creek system, as well as some coastal rivers in northern New South Wales and Queensland. These hardy fish have also been introduced successfully into many dams and pondages from Townsville to Perth.

Fishing Techniques: The golden perch or yellowbelly taken by outback anglers are mainly caught on natural baits such as yabbies, shrimps, earthworms, wood or bardi grubs, and small live fish presented on or near the river-bed and close to snags. A willing lure-striker, golden perch will also take a variety of diving plugs, spoons, spinners, spinnerbaits, soft-tailed jigs and even flies. Bigger golden perch will hit very large lures intended for Murray cod.

Eating Qualities: The golden perch is rated by many experts as one of the tastiest of our inland natives. Specimens weighing less than 2 kg are generally superior in table quality to their larger kin. Fish from clean, slightly cooler water taste much better than those from hot, muddy water-holes or dams.