Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Least Concern Brackish

Max Length

50.0 cm

Max Weight

1.9 kg

Color

Bright golden-yellow body with 6–8 …

Depth Range

0-56m

Family

Percidae

About

The yellow perch is a schooling fish found in lakes and slow rivers across North America. Its golden-yellow body with dark vertical bars is unmistakable. Its sweet, firm white flesh makes it one of the finest-tasting freshwater fish.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value
Maximum Length	50.0 cm
Maximum Weight	1.9 kg
Depth Range	0-56m

Coloration

Bright golden-yellow body with 6–8 broad dark olive-green vertical saddle-bars; belly pale yellow to white; paired and anal fins are vivid orange to red; two separate dorsal fins, the first dark-spined.

Habitat & Distribution

Estuaries

Water Type

Brackish

Depth Range

0-56m

Geographic Range

Native to freshwater and slightly brackish lakes and rivers of central and eastern Canada and the northern United States, including all five Great Lakes. Abundant in Lake Erie and Lake Winnipeg; introduced in western states.

Countries

🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States

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Distribution Map

Present Not recorded countries

Conservation Status

Least Concern IUCN Red List

Yellow Perch is classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Edibility & Culinary

Taste

Sweet, clean white flesh with very low fat and a delicate texture; among the most prized freshwater eating fish in the Great Lakes region. Best pan-fried or sautéed simply in butter.

Fishing Information

Game Fish

Yes

Fight Rating

3/5

Recommended Bait

minnows, worms, small jigs

Taxonomy

Order	Perciformes (Perch-like fishes)
Family	Percidae (Perches)
Species	Perca flavescens

Names in Other Languages

Language	Name
Arabic	برش أصفر
Chinese (Simplified)	黃鱸
French	Perchaude
German	Amerikanischer Flussbarsch
Japanese	イエローパーチ
Russian	Жёлтый окунь
Spanish	Perca canadiense
Vietnamese	Cá pecca vàng

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat Yellow Perch?

Sweet, clean white flesh with very low fat and a delicate texture; among the most prized freshwater eating fish in the Great Lakes region. Best pan-fried or sautéed simply in butter.

How big does Yellow Perch get?

Yellow Perch can grow up to 50.0 cm long and weigh 1.9 kg.

Where is Yellow Perch found?

Is Yellow Perch endangered?

The conservation status of Yellow Perch is Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

What family does Yellow Perch belong to?

Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) belongs to the family Percidae (Perches) in the order Perciformes (Perch-like fishes).