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White Perch

White Perch

White Perch in Georgia are not true perch but members of the temperate bass family, closely related to striped bass and white bass. These are highly adaptable and prolific fish that are schooling fish, rarely found alone.

Scientific Name: Morone americana

Physical Characteristics:
  • Silvery fish with dark, domed backs typically reach 8-10 inches and weigh under a pound, though the species can grow up to 19 inches.
  • Have tiny mouths.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Primarily found in brackish and freshwater environments, particularly in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • First documented in 2021 in the Little River HUC.

Specific Spots

  • Prefer shallow water of 6-12 feet but can be found much deeper.
  • Fish near shoreline structure, docks, piers, and drop-offs.

White Perch FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Perch in Georgia?

Bloodworms (properly threaded to prevent fish from shaking them off), grass shrimp, small minnows, earthworms, and night crawlers. Small spinnerbaits and crankbaits, small spoons, hair jigs, 1-2 inch swimming plugs, soft plastics like paddle tails and twisters, tube jigs, and 1/8-1/4 ounce shad darts tipped with bait.

What flies work for White Perch in Georgia?

Small streamers, poppers, and patterns that imitate grass shrimp, minnows, or bloodworms.

When is the best time to fish for White Perch in Georgia?

Best fishing occurs spring through fall, with fish moving to deeper water during winter.

How do you catch White Perch in Georgia?

Keep offerings small due to their tiny mouths - avoid large bull minnows. Hook minnows through the bottom lip and out the top for natural swimming action. Vary retrieval speeds and depths until fish are located, often requiring precise depth control.

What do White Perch eat?

Opportunistic feeders consume small fish fry, fish e.g.gs (which can comprise 100% of their diet at times), crabs, shrimp, invertebrates, zooplankton, and minnows.

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