68 FAMILIAR FISH, THEIR HABITS AND CAPTURE 



known, the perches, carps, bullheads and catfish are 

 especially so, and are much sought after. 



The yellow perch, sometimes known as the ringed 

 perch and striped perch, is one of the very best known 

 fresh-water fish in this country, being found in all of 

 the States east of the Alleghany Mountains and as far 

 south as Georgia. They also inhabit the Great 

 Lakes, and some of the northern rivers and lakes as 

 far west as Minnesota. While they are taken in both 

 lakes and rivers, their natural home is in the former, 

 and there they are found most plentifully. Perch are 

 most strikingly marked, and will attract especial atten- 

 tion, even when surrounded by many other fishes. 

 The body color is a bright golden yellow, the back a 

 decided greenish bronze, with a yellowish white belly. 

 Six or eight black colored bars fully half an inch wide 

 extend from the back midway down the sides. The 

 lower fins are bright red or orange, very similar to 

 those of the brook trout, while the dorsal fins and 

 tail are green. The back, from the head to the dor- 

 sal fin, is arched or hump-backed, rather detracting 

 from their appearance. They are properly a small 

 fish and are usually taken about 8 to 10 inches long, 

 with an average of about f of a pound in weight. In 

 some waters particularly adapted to their growth they 

 have been known to reach 2 pounds. 



Perch, when skinned, make a most excellent pan 



