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White Perch

White Perch

White Perch in New York are actually members of the temperate bass family, closely related to striped bass rather than true perch.

White Perch populations in New York have expanded significantly beyond their native Atlantic coastal range and are now established throughout the Great Lakes system, Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake, Chautauqua Lake, Great Sacandaga Lake, the Finger Lakes, and numerous rivers.

They're considered invasive in many of these waters, where they compete with native species like yellow perch and lake whitefish.

Scientific Name: Morone americana

Physical Characteristics:
  • These silvery fish typically measure 6-12 inches with some specimens exceeding 15 inches, featuring two dorsal fins, a compressed body, and no horizontal stripes.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Established throughout the Great Lakes system (Erie and Ontario), Lake Champlain, Oneida Lake, Chautauqua Lake, Great Sacandaga Lake, the Finger Lakes, and numerous rivers including the St.
  • Lawrence, Seneca, Mohawk, and Hudson.
  • They inhabit diverse environments from brackish estuaries to freshwater lakes, preferring areas with moderate flow and cover.

Key Locations

  • Lake Champlain's main lake and tributary areas, Oneida Lake's shallow bays and weed beds, Lake Erie's western basin near Buffalo and Dunkirk around shoals and drop-offs, Chautauqua Lake's shallow bays and weed edges, Great Sacandaga Lake's shallow bays and rocky shorelines, the Finger Lakes, and numerous rivers including the St.
  • Lawrence, Seneca, Mohawk, and Hudson.

Specific Spots

  • Areas with cover like submerged vegetation, fallen trees, docks, and piers.
  • Target depths from 6-12 feet typically, though they move to deeper water (28-35 feet) in winter and can be found in shallows during spring and fall feeding periods.
  • Work shallow areas near vegetation, docks, and piers.

White Perch FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Small spinners (Mepps Aglia or Panther Martin sizes 0-2), tiny jigs (1/32-1/16 ounce Berkley PowerBait Atomic Teasers or Marabou jigs), soft plastics (Berkley Gulp Minnows, Zoom Tiny Fluke on small jigheads, 2-inch curly tail grubs), small spoons, hair jigs, and 1-2 inch swimming plugs.

What flies work for White Perch in New York?

Small streamers like Clouser Minnows or Woolly Buggers (sizes 6-10), nymph patterns like Pheasant Tail or Hare's Ear Nymphs (sizes 12-16), and wet flies like Soft Hackle patterns (sizes 14-18) for emerging insects.

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

Spring (post-spawn), summer evenings/mornings, and fall when they're most active, with winter ice fishing also productive. They spawn in spring (May-June in New York) when water temperatures reach 50-60°F.

How do you catch White Perch in New York?

Key techniques include slow retrieves near structure and drop-offs, bottom rigs or bobbers from shore, drifting and bottom fishing from boats, and working shallow areas near vegetation, docks, and piers.

What do White Perch eat?

White Perch are opportunistic predators with adaptable feeding habits - juveniles consume zooplankton and aquatic insects, while adults primarily eat small fish (minnows, shiners, young sunfish), fish e.g.gs, aquatic worms, insect larvae, crayfish, shrimp, and emergent insects like mayflies and midges during hatches.

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