White Perch

Morone americana

Type: freshwater, brackish, semi-anadromous

White Perch

Physical Characteristics

A deep-bodied, laterally compressed fish with two connected dorsal fins (one spiny, one soft). It typically exhibits a silvery-white to olive-gray coloration without distinct dark longitudinal stripes. The scales are ctenoid, giving it a rough feel, and it has a relatively small mouth for a temperate bass.

Habitat & Distribution

Native to the Atlantic coast of North America, from the St. Lawrence River to South Carolina. Found in brackish estuaries, coastal rivers, and freshwater lakes and ponds. They are highly adaptable to varying salinities.

Size & Weight

Typically ranges from 7 to 10 inches in length and weighs 0.5 to 1 pound. Maximum recorded size is approximately 19 inches and nearly 5 pounds.

Similar Looking Species

White Bass (Morone chrysops) which has distinct dark horizontal stripes; Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) which is more slender with very prominent dark stripes.

Ecological Role

Acts as both a significant predator of smaller fish and invertebrates and as a prey species for larger predators like Walleye, Northern Pike, and larger bass. In non-native areas, they can become invasive and outcompete local species.

Diet

Opportunistic feeders. Juveniles eat zooplankton and aquatic insect larvae; adults consume small fish, crustaceans, fish eggs, and larger insects.

Behavior

Highly gregarious and often found in large schools. They are most active during the day (diurnal) and frequently move between different depths depending on water temperature and food availability.

Reproduction

Semi-anadromous or potamodromous; they migrate from deeper waters into shallow freshwater or brackish rivers to spawn in the spring. They are broadcast spawners, releasing adhesive eggs over gravel or sandy bottoms.

Conservation Status

Least Concern (IUCN). Populations are stable and, in many inland areas where introduced, they are considered an invasive nuisance species.

Identification Tips

Look for the lack of dark horizontal stripes, the silvery color, and the fact that the two dorsal fins are connected by a small membrane at the base. The anal fin has three spines, with the second and third being nearly equal in length.

Interesting Facts

Despite the name, the White Perch is not a true perch; it is a member of the temperate bass family, Moronidae, making it more closely related to the Striped Bass than to the Yellow Perch.

Identified on: 4/27/2026

Mode: Standard