American yellow perch
📖 Overview
Inhabits lakes, ponds, pools of creeks, and rivers. Also found in brackish water and in salt lakes. Most commonly found in clear water near vegetation; tends to shoal near the shore during spring . Feeds on immature insects, larger invertebrates, fishes and fish eggs during the day. Preyed upon by fishes and birds . Spawns between February and July in the northern hemisphere and between August and October in the southern hemisphere . Neither anterolateral glandular groove nor venom gland is present . Marketed fresh or frozen; eaten pan-fried, broiled or baked .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
: fusiform / normal.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for American yellow perch is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Nonobligatory plant spawner.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Freshwater; brackish; benthopelagic; depth range 0 - 56 m , usually ? - 9 m . Subtropical; 0°C - 30°C ; 66°N - 30°N, 124°W - 59°W North America: Atlantic, Arctic, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River basins from Nova Scotia to Mackenzie River drainage, Northwest Territories in Canada, and south to Ohio, Illinois and Nebraska in the USA; south in Atlantic drainages to Savannah River in Georgia, USA.
🌿 Ecology
immature insects, larger invertebrates, fishes and fish eggs during the day
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🎣 Angling Guide
- medium-light 6-7ft spinning rod
- 8-12 lb line
- walleye jig heads
- rocky humps
- deep basin edges
- sand grass
- windward shores
Use barbless hooks, minimise air exposure, and revive fish head-first in current before release.
⚠️ Slot limits and seasonal restrictions common.
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"American yellow perch is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17.5 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 157 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for American yellow perch has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🏆 World Records
| Record Type | Value | Angler | Location | Date | Line Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1.91 kg | C. C. Abbott | Bordentown, New Jersey | 01 May 1865 | ALL |
Source: IGFA All-Tackle World Records database
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morone flavescens | Mitchill | 1814 | Synonym |
| Perca acuta | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Perca americana | Schrank | 1792 | Heterotypic |
| Perca fluviatilis flavescens | Mitchill | 1814 | Synonym |
| Perca notata | Rafinesque | 1818 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 347 records indexed .
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