A handsome golden-yellow fish with dark vertical bands and orange fins. Yellow perch are popular panfish — they form large schools and are prolific in northern lakes, supporting both sport and commercial fisheries.

Also called: Yellow Perch, Lake Perch, Ringed Perch

Native status: Native to northern North America; widely stocked

§ Quick facts

SizeLength 18–35 cm; record 53 cm
Weight200 g–1.5 kg; record 1.9 kg
LifespanWild 7–10 years
OrderPerciformes
FamilyPercidae

§ Encyclopedia

The yellow perch, commonly referred to as perch, striped perch, American perch or preacher is a freshwater perciform fish native to much of North America. The yellow perch was described in 1814 by Samuel Latham Mitchill from New York. It is closely related, and morphologically similar to the European perch ; and is sometimes considered a subspecies of its European counterpart.

Source: Wikipedia — Yellow perch Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Slim olive-gold panfish with 6–8 prominent vertical dark bars on sides; spiny first dorsal fin; soft second dorsal; bright orange-yellow pectoral and pelvic fins.

Similar species. Walleye (much larger; lateral pattern). Sauger (smaller, more mottled). White Perch (different family; vertical bars less prominent).

Voice. Silent.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Aquatic insects, small crustaceans, small fish (especially as adults).

Behavior. Most-targeted freshwater fish in many US states; iconic ice-fishing species. Forms large schools in lakes; spring spawning produces egg ribbons that drape across submerged vegetation. Closely related to walleye and sauger. Population swings can be dramatic — single year-class can dominate a fishery for years.

§ Range

Across the northern US and Canada

§ Habitat

Lakes, slow rivers, ponds

§ Threats

Eutrophication of Great Lakes, invasive zebra mussels altering food webs, dioxin/PCB contamination.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the yellow perch is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Support Great Lakes water quality protection. Buy wild Lake Erie perch. Reduce phosphorus runoff.

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • American Fisheries Society
  • Great Lakes Fishery Commission
  • State wildlife agencies
  • IUCN Red List 2013