Perch

There are several freshwater and saltwater fish called perch. Of the sorts called ocean perch, Sebastes alutus comes from the Pacific and Sebastes marinus from the Atlantic; the latter is also sometimes called redfish. Perch bones are among the most commonly found fish bones in colonial-era archaeological sites around the Chesapeake.

The best-known food and sport perch in America is yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Perch is found mainly in the eastern and midwestern parts of the United States, the range extending south to Florida and Georgia and north to the Great Lakes and into Canada. Perch has been successfully introduced into western lakes. Perch prefers cool water, most often inhabiting lakes, but it also is caught in ponds and slow streams. Perch are small, averaging seven to ten inches, although a historic catch of a four-pound-three-ounce perch was recorded in 1865 at Cross Wicks Creek, New Jersey. Perch are predators, eating minnows, juvenile fish, insects, small crayfish, and snails. Yellow perch has supported a commercial fishery in the lower Great Lakes, although its value comes mainly from sportfishing. Although it is not a fighter, perch is known for feeding frenzies, which make it possible for an angler to catch a large number in a short time.