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Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch are not native to Kansas but have been introduced through transplant stockings.

According to Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism records, yellow perch populations have been documented in Kansas waters from 1885-1995, primarily in the Delaware, Lower Kansas, Middle Kansas, Middle Neosho, Middle Verdigris, and Upper Cimarron-Bluff watersheds.

Scientific Name: Perca flavescens

Physical Characteristics:
  • These fish are relatively small, typically reaching 4-10 inches with a maximum around 19 inches, and have distinctive yellow to golden coloration with 6-8 dark vertical bars along their sides.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Most commonly found in lakes, ponds, and slow-moving waters.

Key Locations

  • Delaware, Lower Kansas, Middle Kansas, Middle Neosho, Middle Verdigris, and Upper Cimarron-Bluff watersheds.
  • In Kansas reservoirs and lakes, concentrate efforts around points, brush piles, and creek channels.

Specific Spots

  • Target areas with structure like weed beds, submerged logs, rocky areas, and drop-offs, particularly focusing on the transition zones between shallow and deeper water.

Yellow Perch FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Yellow Perch in Kansas?

Small jig heads (1/32 to 1/8 ounce) tipped with soft plastics like 2-inch curly tail grubs, maggots, wax worms, or small minnows. Popular artificial options include small spinners, 2-inch swimbaits, and tiny spoons with gold colors working best in low light and silver/bright colors in clear conditions.

When is the best time to fish for Yellow Perch in Kansas?

Most productive during fall and winter months. They spawn in spring when water temperatures reach 45-65°F (typically April through early May in Kansas), during which time they should not be targeted.

How do you catch Yellow Perch in Kansas?

For ice fishing, work small jigs just off the bottom with subtle movements. The key technique is to 'wait until you feel it' rather than setting the hook immediately on the first tap, as perch often peck at baits multiple times before committing.

What do Yellow Perch eat?

Yellow perch are voracious feeders with diets varying by age - young fish consume zooplankton, transitioning to macroinvertebrates like midges and mosquitos by age one, while adults feed on invertebrates, fish e.g.gs, crayfish, mysid shrimp, and juvenile fish including their own species.

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