NPSpecies

Data Source: See Observation

Park Species Detail: Yellow perch are native to North America and Canada with their original distribution including the upper Mississippi Valley and Atlantic seaboard. Yellow perch inhabit coastal rivers, streams and low salinity estuaries and adapt to a wide range of water temperatures. Semi-anadromous populations occur in the Chesapeake Bay area. Diet of the yellow perch consists of small crustaceans, fish and insects. Sexual maturity is reached at five years for males and three years for females. In early spring, females release gelatinous strands of 3,000 to 150,000 eggs that are wpven around alive or dead vegetation while being fertilized by 15 to 25 males. In the absence of vegetation, eggs may be scattered on sand or grayel bottoms. Hatching takes place in two to three weeks at water temperatures ranging from 45°F - 50°F. No parental care is afforded the young. Adult size of yellow perch ranges from about one half to one pound, with corresponding lengths of eight to twelve inches. Stunted populations occur in some areas. Maximum age for yellow perch is about 13 years.