Perch fillets served with rocket, cherry tomatoes, chives, and lemon slices on a white plate, placed on a wooden table.
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Perch of Lake Trasimeno

The perch is considered the noblest fish of Lake Trasimeno due to its lean, firm and delicately flavoured flesh. This fish, which prefers the deeper waters of the lake, is an agile and fast predator, and catching it requires skill and precision

History and tradition

The perch was introduced to Lake Trasimeno in the 19th century and quickly became one of the most appreciated species. Its fishing is a skilful practice, as the perch is a shy and elusive fish, making it difficult to catch. Despite this, it has become a symbol of lake cuisine, thanks to the versatility of its meat and its ability to adapt to various preparations.

Perch fillets served with rocket, cherry tomatoes, chives, and lemon slices on a white plate, placed on a wooden table.

Photo Credits: Hotel ristorante Volante Inn

Reti da pesca con galleggianti appese a un palo, con vista sul lago Trasimeno, barche ormeggiate e un'isola sullo sfondo.
Golden sunset over Lake Trasimeno, with a bare tree in the foreground and the silhouette of a person on the shore.
Hanging fishing nets frame Lake Trasimeno at sunset, with moored boats and an island in the background.
A wooden pier extends over Lake Trasimeno, with moored boats and a fisherman in a red apron at the center of the scene.

Photo Credits: Bleve Federica

In local cuisine

The perch lends itself well to both refined and simple recipes. One of the most classic preparations is fried perch, where the fillets are coated in flour and fried to a golden crisp, keeping the inside tender and juicy. Another traditional dish is grilled perch skewers.

Perch is also an excellent ingredient for pasta and risottos. A must-try is tagliolini with perch, where the fish fillets are cooked in a light sauce made with tomatoes and aromatic herbs, creating a dish that is a true explosion of flavours.

Another local speciality, served warm or cold, is Fagiolina del Trasimeno with perch fillets.

More creative recipes include perch fillets with saffron from Città della Pieve, a delightful combination of lake and land flavours.

Explore the surroundings
Main attractions in the vicinity