Name/Relations || Range/Sizes || Habitat & Habits ||  Notes

Common Name:  Yellow Perch
Other Common Names:  perch, jack perch, redfin
Scientific name:  Perca flavescens
Family:  Percidae (perches)
Related Species: Walleye, Sauger, Johnny darter

Sizes:  Possible to 4.5lbs, but far more commonly 1/4lb-1lbs (6"-12")
 

Habitat:    Prefers cool clear lakes (45-65  degrees F temp range) with large deep areas surrounded by shallow weedy areas (mostly natural glacial lakes left by the last Ice Age and the Great Lakes) but is very adaptable.  Found also in slow moving waters (Mississippi and Ohio River systems). Smaller specimens inhabit weedy shallow areas, while the larger fishes school around deepwater structure up to 100 feet deep.

Spawning Habits:  In late winter/early spring when the water reaches 45-55 degrees, schools of fish move into shallow sandy/gravelly/weedy  areas, deposting strings of eggs over vegitation or structure.

Feeding Habits:  Feeds on small molluscs (esp. snails), worms, insects and insect larvae, crustaceans (scuds and crayfish), and small minnows.  Large fish feed more on minnows.  While it does feed all day, it perfers early morning, late evening, and at night. Feeds mostly where it lives, though during overcast days in the fall, winter, and spring, larger fish will venture into shallow areas in packs looking for prey (the picture above is such a fish), inclucing smaller perches, alewives, smelts, shiners, and chubs.  Also feeds extensively under the ice in northern areas.
 

Notes:  Popular light tackle target and ice fishing pursuit, and extremely tastey panfish.  The most popular panfish target in the northern US and southern Canada, especially in the numerous small lakes and ponds surrounding, and including, the Great Lakes.  An important forage fish for Pikes, Waleye, Black Basses, Flathead Catfish, and Lake Trout. My favorite lure include small jigs (including Ice spoons and jigs), small bead head wooly worm flies, spinners, and small suspending or sinking crankbaits (as in the picture at the top) on 2lb test. Baits include crappie sized minnows (live or dead), meal worms, red wigglers, and small crayfish (2") on a size 8 hook on a bait finder rig. A depth finder will help greatly in locating the deep water fish!