Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens)
Last Update/Review: August 6, 2002
Yellow perch are the most common sport fish in Alberta, giving hours of enjoyment to beginning, young anglers. They are a very popular winter sport fish. Their general body color is golden yellow or green, with broad, dark vertical bands on the side. They have needle-like spines on the dorsal fin. Adults generally weigh about half a kilogram (1 lb) and are rarely longer than 25 cm (10 inches).
Yellow perch are well-distributed throughout Alberta, except in the foothills and the mountains. They usually travel in schools, and are often found in shallows, bays, and patches of weeds.
Perch are more tolerant of low winter oxygen levels than many other native fish species in Alberta. However, they are still susceptible to winterkill.
Spawning occurs in spring. Unlike other cool-water fishes that simply release eggs, the perch lays its eggs in long, jelly-like bands.
The diet of yellow perch consists of insects and other small organisms. Larger perch also eat other fish.
