White perch
Encyclopedia
The white perch, Morone americana, is not a true perch
but is, rather, a fish of the temperate bass family, Moronidae
, notable as a food and game fish in eastern North America
.
The name "white perch" is sometimes erroneously applied to the white crappie
.
Generally silvery-white in color, hence the name, depending upon habitat and size specimens have begun to develop a darker shade near the dorsal fin and along the top of the fish. This sometimes earns them the nickname "Black-Back." White perch have been reported up to 49.5 cm (19.5 in.) in length and weighing 2.2 kg (4.8 lbs.).
Although favoring brackish waters, it is also found in fresh water and coastal areas from the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario
south to the Pee Dee River
in North Carolina
, and as far east as Nova Scotia
.
There are commercial fisheries for white perch in the lower Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. The raw meat is of a somewhat pinkish hue, but when cooked, it is white and flaky. At times, a parasite known as Lironeca ovalis is located in the gills. They are only known to reduce the growing rate of white perch.
, such as walleye
and other true perches. At times, fish eggs are 100% of their diet. They prefer to eat small minnows like mud minnows and fat head minnows. In the Chesapeake Bay, White perch commonly prey upon grass shrimp, razor clams and bloodworms which are all common to the region.
White perch are a popular fare for Chesapeake Bay fisherman and in many locations are considered a local favorite for a fish fry, breaded and baked, or even grilled with lemon juice and some fresh chopped vegetables.
The white perch is currently recovering from loss of population in the Hudson River
.
Percidae
The Percidae are a family of perciform fish found in fresh and brackish waters of the Northern Hemisphere. The family contains about 200 species in ten genera...
but is, rather, a fish of the temperate bass family, Moronidae
Moronidae
Temperate Bass is in the Family PercichthyidaeHow to know the freshwater fishes Samuel Eddy, James C. Underhill.Moronidae, also known as the "temperate basses", is a family of perciform fish consisting of 6 freshwater and marine species...
, notable as a food and game fish in eastern North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
The name "white perch" is sometimes erroneously applied to the white crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
.
Generally silvery-white in color, hence the name, depending upon habitat and size specimens have begun to develop a darker shade near the dorsal fin and along the top of the fish. This sometimes earns them the nickname "Black-Back." White perch have been reported up to 49.5 cm (19.5 in.) in length and weighing 2.2 kg (4.8 lbs.).
Although favoring brackish waters, it is also found in fresh water and coastal areas from the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
south to the Pee Dee River
Pee Dee River
The Pee Dee River, also known as the Great Pee Dee River, is a river in North Carolina and South Carolina. It originates in the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina, where its upper course above the mouth of the Uwharrie River is known as the Yadkin River. It is extensively dammed for flood...
in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, and as far east as Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
There are commercial fisheries for white perch in the lower Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay. The raw meat is of a somewhat pinkish hue, but when cooked, it is white and flaky. At times, a parasite known as Lironeca ovalis is located in the gills. They are only known to reduce the growing rate of white perch.
Diet
White perch are known to eat the eggs of many species native to the Great LakesGreat Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
, such as walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
and other true perches. At times, fish eggs are 100% of their diet. They prefer to eat small minnows like mud minnows and fat head minnows. In the Chesapeake Bay, White perch commonly prey upon grass shrimp, razor clams and bloodworms which are all common to the region.
Reproduction
White perch are a prolific species. The female can deposit over 140,000 eggs in a spawning session, lasting just over a week. Several males will often attend a spawning female, and each may fertilize a portion of her eggs. The young hatch within one to six days of fertilization.Fishing for white perch
As for fishing, these fish put up a great fight for their size. They can be caught with blood worms, night crawlers or mackerel, on small hooks or double rigs. White perch also have a hard, scaly body that, along with their sharp fins, protects them from predators. When removing a white perch from a hook, one should hold the line gently in one hand and gently slide the other hand downward from beginning at the fish's nose while curling the thumb and touching the middle fingher. Doing so will gently collaps the spined dorsal fin and prevent an unexpected stick.White perch are a popular fare for Chesapeake Bay fisherman and in many locations are considered a local favorite for a fish fry, breaded and baked, or even grilled with lemon juice and some fresh chopped vegetables.
The white perch is currently recovering from loss of population in the Hudson River
Hudson River
The Hudson is a river that flows from north to south through eastern New York. The highest official source is at Lake Tear of the Clouds, on the slopes of Mount Marcy in the Adirondack Mountains. The river itself officially begins in Henderson Lake in Newcomb, New York...
.