Yellow Perch Details

• Water Type: freshwater
• Latin Name: Perca flavescens
• Common Names: Perch, Lake Perch, Ringed Perch, Eisenhower (South)
• Water Temp: 65-80
• World Record: 4lb-3oz Bordentown, NJ May, 1865 Dr. C.C. Abbot
• Last Modified By: hognosehunter on 01/03/16 10:29 AM
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Found in most RI, lakes they are a common panfish. These fish are originally from Europe and can exist in almost any water habitat. They form large schools and seek deeper cooler waters. They are active all year long and feed on small marine animals and fish. They can live up to 13 years and grow up to 16 inches. They are very active during winter. Unlike walleye, they have no sharp teeth.

This fish is common throughout New England and is found to be an undesirable species for anglers since the fish tends to be small in larger waters and wormy when taken in weedy ponds. It is also heavy competition for Trout and Salmon.They sometimes feed in schools. Yellow Perch is usually found in weedy lakes and ponds or in the slower moving parts of larger streams. It is not usually found where there is strong current. In larger bodies of water, the bigger fish tend to move out of the weedy areas into deeper water, where they congregate around ledges and bars. Perch feed on a variety of insects, crustaceans and small fish. They are easily taken by almost any method and respond well to flies, lures and trolled spoons. Fishing through the ice is very effective using live minnows, handlines or tip-ups when the fish can be caught in numbers. The flesh is firm and delicious when caught from colder water and is a favorite for eating. A 12 inch fish weighing a pound or more is considered large in RI. The NH state record is a 2 pound 6 ounce Yellow Perch measuring 15.5 inches taken out of Heads Pond in Hookset, NH in 1969.

-Massachusetts State Record is 2 lbs 12 oz caught by James O'Conner in 1979 at South Watuppa Pond
Fall River, MA

-CT State Record 2 lbs 13 oz caught by Miller B. Bassett in 1973 at Black Pond, Woodstock, CT

-RI State Record is 2 pounds 4 ounces caught by D. LaRochelle in Feb 1987 at Pascoag Reservoir.
-World record in Bordentown NJ 9lb 3 oz.