whiteperch 2-1

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Comment by John Sheehan on February 12, 2009 at 3:31pm

An added note on that 11 or 12 " White Perch...caught it on a Blue Fox Spinner...it was shallow under a willow tree (where I usually target Crappie in early Spring) and I was more or less searchin for crappies and bass it ...immediately bolted for deeper water and fought harder than a crappie or an early season bass ..I think the fish seperated from the pack but tried to swim to safety in numbers..after releasing I suspect it caught up to the pack but I didn't hit the school that day

Comment by John Sheehan on February 3, 2009 at 1:51pm

Zig ,I didn't tape it but 8 &1/2 looks about right.Biggest one I caught was on a spinner...size 1 or 2 don't recall..I guess it was 11 or 12 inches but I'm not sure .It was a remarkable fish though. Think it was a mid spring Fish.

Comment by Bruce Condello on February 2, 2009 at 11:44am

Yep, you guys are right. That's Mr. Morone americana, or, as they're officially known, white perch.

One important note.

DO NOT MOVE THIS FISH FROM ONE WATER BODY TO ANOTHER. They have absolutely ruined many midwest fisheries due to their high reproductive rate. They are typically not a desirable fish for anglers to target, but we've had some good fish frys with them once they reach at least 9 inches, and preferably 10-12. Skim the red meat of the filet if you've got the time. They taste and behave virtually identical to Morone chrysops, or white bass.

Comment by John Sheehan on February 2, 2009 at 11:18am

I agree Wikipedia can be taken with a grain of salt.Anyone that's mistaken can post their'facts'!
These White Perch are schooling marauders at ice out.I kept this fish for a hawk that visits me almost every day .Perhaps I'll consider a big White Perch Fish fry.

Comment by steve b on February 2, 2009 at 11:15am

On the White Bass subject though.. Due to higher oil content they need to go right onto ice, and be eaten SOON. If so, they eat well, and difficult to tell from other panfish. Throw them in freezer for later...well...not so good. steve b

Comment by Zig on February 2, 2009 at 10:53am

John - I'm guessing around 8½"?
We hold a double edged sword on this species; they do make for a fun fishery that can offer some decent eating and fast angling, however I believe they are also bad news for the local panfishery.

Just a note on Wikipedia..................that's a good location to get lead astray.

Comment by steve b on February 2, 2009 at 8:48am

I believe white perch are different from white bass. The picture shown is not a hybrid. Hybrids sport lines like their big brothers, stripers, though the lines are broken on the hybrids. steve b

Comment by John Sheehan on February 2, 2009 at 7:49am

Thanks for getting me on this Jeremy1 I've always thought that it's a perch because their scales are rough just like a yellow perch.Wikipedia says the white perch isnt really a perch (even though thats it's name) but a bass family member. I don't get that at all. If anything I'm concerned these plentiful fish are possibly hurting Largmouth Bass growth rates at Cupsaw lake here in New Jersey.I am not real educated about how species affect each other but want to learn about that more and maore .Any useful links from members would be much appreciated.
When I grew up the word was always "KILL ALL SUNNIES AND BLUEGILLS ...THEY EAT BASS EGGS" Maybe they do but I don't follow that and release my gills ..havent kept one for the table in years.I need to learn about the balance of the lakes I fish and have to find someone who studies that and talk with them.

At any rate I always liked the little guys and they are often the first fish to hit after ice out while trolling spinners and although small fight tenaciously.
Here are several links to White Perch : http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/fish/faq/whiteperch.htm
http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species/A...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_perch

Comment by John Sheehan on February 2, 2009 at 7:19am

Here in New Jersey we call them White Perch.I'll get back to you Jeremy .I never heard that this was a Hybrid fish.It has rough scales just like a Yellow Perch.

Comment by Jeremy R. Mayo on February 1, 2009 at 8:51pm

Thats a Hybrid aint it?