Perca flavescens

Ultraviolet radiation can kill yellow perch eggs in shallow waters of lakes with low levels of dissolved organic carbon. Higher concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, which largely comes from the decomposition of plants, may reduce this damage by limiting the penetration of ultraviolet radiation.

 
Photo Credit: Geoffrey A. Hammerson
Perca flavescens
Common Name: yellow perch
Animal Guild: Fish
Class > Order > Family: Teleostei > Perciformes > Percidae
What does the species look like?

Yellow perch have a fairly deep and compressed body and two dorsal fins. Their tail fin is moderately forked. They are green on the upper side, yellow on their sides, and have six to nine green-brown saddles or bars on their sides. They have a black blotch at the rear of their first dorsal fin. Their paired fins are yellow to red. Their large mouth extends back to the middle of their eye. They can reach a total length of around 15.8 inches (40 cm).

Eggs: They lay eggs in pleated or folded, gelatinous strands up to several feet long.
 
Where is the species found?
States & Provinces
AB, AL, AZ, BC, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NS, NT, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, QC, RI, SC, SD, SK, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Distribution

This species is native throughout much of northern North America east of the Rockies in Atlantic, Arctic, the Great Lakes, and Mississippi River basins; from Nova Scotia and Quebec west to Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, and south to Ohio, Illinois, and Nebraska; and south in Atlantic drainages to Santee River, South Carolina. It has been introduced in most western states and elsewhere.

This species can be found in clear, weedy backwaters or pools of creeks and rivers, shallow waters of lakes, and large ponds. Yellow perch are often found in areas with lots of aquatic plants. In some places, they can be found in brackish water (a mix of saltwater and freshwater).
General Phenology and Life History

In late winter or spring, yellow perch spawn in quiet water with submerged beds of aquatic plants or brush, sand, gravel, or rubble. Sometimes they migrate into streams to spawn. They lay eggs at depths of up to 13 feet (4 meters). Eggs hatch about 10 to 20 days after they are laid.
Which phenophases should I observe?
Do you see/hear...?
Activity Adults in freshwater
One or more adults are seen in a freshwater stream, lake, or pond.
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Adults feeding
One or more adults are seen feeding. If possible, record the name of the species or substance being eaten or describe it in the comments field.

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Development Dead or dying adults
One or more dead or dying adults are seen.

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Method Individuals on a hook
One or more individuals are seen caught on a hook.

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Individuals in a net
One or more individuals are seen caught in a net.

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What do these phenophases look like?

There is currently no photoguide available for this species. If you'd like help us create one, use the guidance document and species template provided here. Then send it via email to education@usanpn.org when it is complete.