Yellow Perch ; Ringed Perch 



Wherever found, this species is the perch par excellence. Among 

 other names by which it is known are American perch, raccoon perch, 

 red perch, and striped perch. It is one of the most abundant and best 

 known of freshwater fishes. Its usual length is lo to 14 inches, and 

 its weight J- to 2 pounds. Examples of 3 and 4 pounds, however, 

 have been recorded. The largest examples of which we have a defi- 

 nite record are one of 4;^ pounds recorded by Dr. Goode, caught in 

 Delaware Bay by Dr. C. C. Abbott, and another reported to us by Mr. 

 F. A. Lucas. It was taken at Moreys Hole, Massachusetts, and 

 weighed 3 pounds 2 ounces. The yellow perch of Europe seems to 

 grow much larger, examples of as great as 8 and 9 pounds having 

 been recorded. 



As a pan-fish we do not know of any better among American 

 freshwater fishes. We have experimented with the yellow perch and 

 several other species, including both species of black bass, the blue- 

 gill, wall-eyed pike, and- rock-bass, eating each for several days in suc- 

 cession, and found the yellow perch the sweetest and most delicious of 

 them all. One does not tire of it so soon as of the other kinds. Sev- 

 eral other persons who tried the same experiment reached the same 

 conclusion. In most parts of its range it is highly esteemed, and in 

 many places it is of very considerable commercial importance. In the 

 Great Lakes, the Potomac River, and the small lakes in the upper Missis- 

 sippi Valley large quantities are taken, which always find a ready sale. 



As a game-fish the yellow perch can be commended chiefly on 

 account of the fact that anybody can catch it. It can be taken with 

 hook and line any month in the year and with any sort of bait, grass- 

 hoppers, angleworms, grubs, small minnows, pieces of mussel, or pieces 

 offish; and it will even rise, and freely, too, on occasion, to the artifi- 

 cial fly; we have taken it "skittering," and also on thetrolling-spoon. 

 It is easily taken through the ice in winter, when small minnows are 

 the best bait, as they are perhaps at other times. The yellow perch is 

 not a great fighter,— its small size precludes that possibility, — but it 

 bites well, and a 2-pounder, or one even half that size, is a fish well 

 worth one's while to take. If it be angled for in deep water, — say 25 

 to 40 feet,— in water that is cold and pure, and with light tackle, it will 

 be found able to make a fight quite enough to please any except the 

 most blase of anglers. 



Besides, the yellow perch is a fish that can be caught by the 

 women and children, who do not, as a rule, seek the more noble game- 

 fishes; and many an inland summer resort is made vastly more attrac- 



366 



