At a glance
6–10 in.
3–40 ft.
Morning, evening and night.
11 areas
Know it
Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.
- Identification
Silvery to olive-gray, deep-bodied little bass with no stripes, a high arched back and joined dorsal fins. Not a true perch — it's a relative of the striped bass.
- Typical size
6–10 in.
- Maximum size
About 18 in and close to 5 lb.
- Diet
Worms, shrimp, insects and small fish.
- Behavior
Schools in rivers, lakes and brackish bays; runs up rivers to spawn in spring.
Find it
Where, when and how deep to look.
- Where to find it
Found from Virginia & Chesapeake Bay, Delaware & New Jersey, New York, Long Island & Connecticut, Rhode Island & Massachusetts, New Hampshire & Maine, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick & PEI, North Carolina, Northeast Lakes & Rivers, U.S. Great Lakes, Ontario Great Lakes and Quebec. Coastal rivers, brackish bays and lakes from Nova Scotia to South Carolina (the Chesapeake Bay is famous for them); it has spread into the Great Lakes.
- Habitat
Coastal rivers, brackish bays and lakes from Nova Scotia to South Carolina (the Chesapeake Bay is famous for them); it has spread into the Great Lakes.
- Depth
3–40 ft.
- Fishing depth
5–25 ft on the bottom or in schools.
- Best season
Spring runs (March–May) and summer to fall in the bays.
- Best time
Morning, evening and night.
- Best tides
In tidal rivers, moving tide is best.
- Best weather / conditions
Any.
Bait & gear
What to tie on and what to throw.
- Best bait
Bloodworms, grass shrimp, minnows and nightcrawlers.
- Best artificial lures
Small spinners, spoons, beetle spins and tiny jigs.
- Tackle setup
Ultralight to light spinning rod.
- Hook size
Size 6–2.
- Line
4–8 lb.
- Leader
Not needed.
BigJoe's setup for White perch
The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.
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Catch it
Step by step, from first cast to landing.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Go where it lives: Coastal rivers, brackish bays and lakes from Nova Scotia to South Carolina (the Chesapeake Bay is famous for them); it has spread into the Great Lakes.
- Rig up: Ultralight to light spinning rod. Not needed.
- Pick your bait: Bloodworms, grass shrimp, minnows and nightcrawlers. Lures: Small spinners, spoons, beetle spins and tiny jigs.
- Fish it: Fish bloodworms or grass shrimp on a bottom rig in tidal rivers, or cast small spinners along docks and points.
- Time it: Morning, evening and night. In tidal rivers, moving tide is best.
- Fishing techniques
Fish bloodworms or grass shrimp on a bottom rig in tidal rivers, or cast small spinners along docks and points.
- BigJoe's tip
Chesapeake piers and docks at night with bloodworms are a classic white perch trip.
- Catch and release
Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.
Clean & cook
Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.
- Edibility
Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
- Cleaning
Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
- Cooking suggestions
One of the best panfish to eat — sweet, white and flaky, fried or broiled.
Stay safe & legal
Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.
- Safety warnings
Sharp gill covers and spines.
- Regulations
Usually liberal limits; it is considered invasive in the Great Lakes. Saltwater rules may apply in tidal waters. Licenses, limits and seasons are set by each province, territory or state, and many lakes and rivers have special size limits, slot limits or closed spawning seasons — check the current regulations for the water you fish.
- Conservation
Abundant; invasive where it was introduced.