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White Perch

White Perch

White Perch are native to Maryland and among the most abundant fish in the Chesapeake Bay system. Despite their name, they're actually members of the temperate bass family, closely related to striped bass rather than true perch.

They are anadromous, spending their entire lives in Maryland's estuarine waters without migrating away from the region. They're known to form large schools, making them excellent targets when located.

Scientific Name: Morone americana

Physical Characteristics:
  • These silver-colored fish typically grow 8-10 inches long and weigh around 1 pound, though Maryland's record is a 2.6-pound fish caught in Dundee Creek in 1976.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit virtually every tidal creek, river, and tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, from the Susquehanna Flats to the Potomac River, as well as many freshwater reservoirs like Loch Raven.

Key Locations

  • Popular locations include the Susquehanna River below Lapidum, Hart-Miller Island, Man O'War Shoal, Podickery Point at the Magothy River mouth, Bay Bridge pilings, Chester River mouth, and numerous other Chesapeake tributaries.
  • Key locations include Susquehanna River below Lapidum, Hart-Miller Island, Podickery Point, Bay Bridge pilings, and mouth of Chester River.

Specific Spots

  • In summer, they seek shaded areas under trees, bridges, and boat houses.
  • Productive structure includes docks, piers, riprap, rocky shorelines, oyster bars, and shaded areas.
  • Fish moving upstream into freshwater areas seeking hard, gravelly, or sandy bottoms during spawning.

White Perch FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Effective baits include bloodworms (excellent in summer), grass shrimp (work anytime, anywhere), small minnows, nightcrawlers, clam snouts, and peeler crab. Keep baits small due to their tiny mouths - pieces no bigger than a paper clip work best.

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

White perch fishing is excellent year-round in Maryland. Spring (April-May) offers prime fishing as fish concentrate for spawning, though avoid targeting actively spawning fish. Summer provides consistent action with schooling fish, while fall may produce the largest specimens as they feed heavily before winter.

How do you catch White Perch in Maryland?

Both shore and boat fishing are effective, using anchoring, drifting, or casting techniques.

What do White Perch eat?

White perch are opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet including grass shrimp, bloodworms, small minnows, fish e.g.gs, aquatic insects, crustaceans, and detritus. Juveniles feed primarily on zooplankton before transitioning to larger prey as they mature.

Where do White Perch live in Maryland?

They inhabit virtually every tidal creek, river, and tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, from the Susquehanna Flats to the Potomac River, as well as many freshwater reservoirs like Loch Raven.

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