How big of a perch is "mountable"

[cwebs]

I am a taxidermist and have mounted my fish because they are ART and look wonderfull on the wall. Not because of there size. Many well mounted fish on the right background looks great. I have a wall covered with avarage size fish. Being a short fish will cost you lots less then say a 48 inch pike. Mount it.

[augernaut]

Hmm, I guess how big a perch I would mount would really depend on how much I had to drink... Wait. Nevermind.......

[hawkeye43]

That perch in my avatar is on the wall. Its 15" with a girth of 12.5, just a touch over 2#1oz. That trip the first day out I got one that was 1#15, I thought long and hard if I should mount that fish. the next morning I told the guy to mount it. That day at 2pm I caught that 2#1, both are on the wall. I got them with a good friend and that will always be a reminder of our friendship together. I been chasing big perch on alot of lakes in 5 different states since 1975, I wish I would have keeped a couple of others but didn'. I would it mount them again in a heart beat.

John, You will always remember that trip with your grandpa, trust me it priceless.

[Laska]

So when we going fishing? I need a cpl more perch like that for my table display...

[bikeoutback]

My ideas since my life revolves around Northerns is to make a table mount with a 40+" northern running at a school of perch. So this fish would be chased if replicated, along with the perch Ill carve.

I love this idea... to make it realistic I think you need to carve a buch of 4" perch Your 13" imho would look fine by itself and will look great in this setup.

[Laska]

I actually carve 8" perch on an almost daily basis for spearing decoys all I have to add is bottom fins and Id have some little ones. Doesnt look like Ill get around to a 13 1/2" perch this week maybe next week, but I do have a 12 3/4" I'm working on Ill post that one too when it gets closer to being done.

[Laska]

Now keep in mind this is a decoy for competition but this one is 12 3/4" and about to be weighted, and the taxidermy eyes havent come yet but I think I have something going here with doing it myself for a replica.

[TooTallTom]

I think I have something going here with doing it myself for a replica.

I think you're right. It's also kind of neat to see a project mid-way through like that. I'm looking forward to seeing the end result.

Tom.

[PurpleFloyd]

Now keep in mind this is a decoy for competition but this one is 12 3/4" and about to be weighted, and the taxidermy eyes havent come yet but I think I have something going here with doing it myself for a replica.

Awesome work.

[Laska]

I just weighted it it swims really really slow just like a perch casually cruising the bottom its turning out quite well more pics to come once I get the taxidermy eyes.

[Chris Barlage]

I don't care it the fish is 2 inches, if it is a trophy to you and within the law, YOU CAN MOUNT IT IF YOU WANT!!!! You do what you feel is right! And don't worry about what others may say! Nice Fish, call one of our great sponsors www.almbergtaxidermy.com He will give you an honest opinion, he gets that question all the time and turns business away all the time if it isn't right for the person!

I agree. No one should tell you a certin size in which to mount. It is all personal preferance. If you want to then you should. I can tell that you are proud of that fish, which you should be. I would love to have caught that fish. So go with your gut.

[mosquitoman]

i say go for it. about 10 years ago i was in an ice fishing tourny and i caught the biggest walleye..... a whopping 14"er! part of my "prize" was that my winning fish was mounted for me. it is a small walleye compared to the typical "trophy" but it looks really nice and fits great in my small office at work. i get jokes about it but every time i see it it reminds me of the important things in life - FISHING!

[theicehooker]

I agree with Irishwalleye 100% and those numbers are mine exactly. 13 inch perch are a common occurance once you are on the jumbos. South Dakota is full of them. So in my eyes a 13 inch perch goes on the dinner plate.

[theicehooker]

All you guys saying "mount it if you want" is not answering his question. He is asking if it is a "large enough" fish to mount in that species.

[mosquitoman]

All you guys saying "mount it if you want" is not answering his question. He is asking if it is a "large enough" fish to mount in that species.

i think what everyone is trying to tell him is that there is no size requirement for mounting any fish. its all up to the person holding the fish to determine if it is "large enough." there really isnt a yes or no answer, so if he wants too they are telling him to mount it.

[Laska]

either way all the opinions help and Ill be making this carving first its a huge carving to me, not compared to the 33" muskie I gotta carve yet but when its just wood it looks huge!

[Dahitman44]

It is a personal decision. I would like to mount a perch as well and have gotten some 12, 13 and 13.5 inch FOOTBALL jumbos out of Lake of the Woods. I keep waiting for bigger. IDK maybe I should just mount one and be done with it.

Anyway, I was waiting for 15 incher, but if I got a 14 I would likely put it on the wall.

In the end, it is your fish ... I say mount it. If you get a bigger one, perfect mount that too. It is only money and you can't take it with ya!

[FISHINGURU]

I've heard of replicas for mouning fish. You just take lots of photos of the fish, and release it. Then the taxidermist will basically create a fiberglass replica of the fish. Obviously, it's not going to be "your" fish, but you also get to leave that great breeder in the lake.

Does anyone know how realistic something like would be? I suppose it varies based on the taxidermist, but generally are they lifelike?

Replicas are the only way to go IMO. The ones I have and seen are better then when you have the actual fish mounted, not only that the fish gets to live.