Photo by the Shedd Aquarium, for additional
information visit the Wisconsin
Sea Grant web site.
Scientific Name: Perca flavescens
Common Name: Yellow perch
Yellow Perch Interesting Facts
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Yellow perch are a member of the perch
family (Percidae).
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Yellow perch spawning is very unique,
they lay their eggs in long connected ribbons.
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Yellow perch can reach a maximum length of
about 16" and weigh over 2 pounds.
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The Ohio state record yellow
perch weighed 2.75 pounds and was caught on Lake Erie.
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Adult yellow perch diets are composed of
small fish and invertebrates, such as mayfly larvae.
Distribution and Identification
Yellow perch are native to the upper Midwest and Canada, and usually have
yellowish sides with dark vertical bars on their side and a white
underside. They have sharp spines in their first dorsal fin, and
during spawning their fins sometimes turn bright orange.
For a thorough description and history of yellow perch, visit the University
of Michigan's yellow perch capsule page.
Biology
Recently yellow perch physiology has been a popular topic for
research. Demand has increased for yellow perch as a food fish,
and current commercial fisheries are not fulfilling the need. To
increase the availability of yellow perch fillets, aquaculture
researchers are documenting optimal conditions for culture of the
species. For a summary of research at the University of
Notre Dame, visit their yellow
perch page. The Ohio State University aquaculture lab is
also completing some interesting research on topics such as out of
season spawning and recirculating systems. A summary can be
found on their yellow
perch page.
Recent declines in Great Lakes populations has led to increased
research, especially on
Lake
Michigan. To access a summary of Lake Michigan yellow perch
research funded by the Wisconsin Sea Grant, click
here. To access a summary of Lake Michigan yellow perch
research carried out by GLERL's
Ecosystem Dynamics program and funded by the Great Lakes Fishery
Trust, click
here. The Wisconsin DNR is also considering actions to increase
the Green Bay (Lake Michigan) yellow perch population, click
here to read the article. Lake Michigan is not the only
Great Lake where anglers are concerned about the status of yellow
perch. Click
here to view an article describing the status of yellow perch in
Lake Huron. Although Lake Erie seems to still be producing
plenty of yellow perch for sport fishing, there is concern that the
same trends in other Great Lakes will start to show up. To read
about Lake Erie yellow perch, click
here.
Great Lake's yellow perch populations (especially Lake Michigan)
seem to be at a turning point. Exotic species introductions and
other ecosystem changes appear to be negatively impacting yellow perch
around the region. New research initiatives have been developed
to better understand the problem, and state DNR management strategies
have been developed to counteract the decreasing populations.
For more information about yellow perch, see these interesting pages:
Article By:
Travis Hartman,
Fondriest Environmental, April 2002.
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