 WHITE PERCH
Scientific
Name: Morone americana
Other
Common Names: silver perch, sea perch
Identification
The
white perch is a thin, deep-bodied fish with sides that are predominantly
silver, but sometimes golden or olive
colored. Very similar to the white bass in appearance, the white
perch does not have dark lines running the length of the body.
The white perch also lacks a tooth patch in the center of the tongue,
which distinguishes it from the white
bass (one patch) and striped
bass (two patches). Its two dorsal fins are separated by a tiny
notch.
The first dorsal fin has nine spines, and the second has one spine
and 12 soft rays. The anal fin has three spines and eight or 10
soft rays.
Habitats and
Habits
White perch are
native to the Atlantic Coast. They prefer low-salinity estuaries
but frequently inhabit coastal
rivers and lakes. White perch can be found in Piedmont reservoirs
where they have been introduced. Adult white perch prefer silt,
mud and sandy bottom habitats with little cover. White perch are
semi-anadromous,
migrating from brackish estuaries to freshwater rivers to spawn
during spring. White perch have been known to eat the eggs of many fish species
including walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), white
bass (Morone chrysops)
and other white perch. They also hybridize with white bass. White
perch may overpopulate a small reservoir and prevent other species
from thriving.
White perch are carnivores that feed in active schools. Smaller
white perch eat aquatic insects and zooplankton, and larger fish
feed on worms, shrimps, crabs, small fishes, fish eggs and larval
insects.
Fishing Techniques
Anglers often
locate schools of white perch by trolling or drifting through prime
habitat areas. Preferred baits
include shrimp, worms, small minnows, lures or streamer-type flies.
Once a school is located, white perch can be caught by casting
lures or bottom fishing with bait.
Good Places to
Fish
In North Carolina,
most white perch fishing occurs in the Albemarle and Pamlico sounds
and their tributaries.
White perch can also be caught in Lake Mattamuskeet and Lake Waccamaw.
Badin Lake, Lake Tillery and Lake Norman are good spots to catch
white perch in the Piedmont.
NCARP Minimum
Requirements: 1
pound or 12 inches
State
Record:
2 lbs., 15 oz., from Falls of the Neuse Reservoir, Dec. 16, 2001
World
Record: 3 lbs.; 1 ounce, from Forest Hill Park, N.J.,
May 6, 1989*
* Anglers
provide information on their potential world-record catches directly
to the International
Game Fish Association, which maintains the world records
for sport fishing.
Return
to Fish Profiles home
|
