SEASONAL CHANGES

Temperature and the availability of food dictate the travel patterns of yellow perch. Wherever possible, they will inhabit the temperature zone in shallow water, seldom going below 30 feet. Winter temperatures may have them seeking deeper waters. Both adults and the young prefer water temperatures from about 65° F. to 70° F. (18° C to 21° C). Yellow perch generally travel in schools of individuals of about the same size and age, searching for food. In the early evening, they'll feed in open water. During the day, they forage near bottom where rooted aquatic plants are found. At night they are inactive and usually rest on the bottom among vegetation.

Spawning

Yellow perch are spring spawners, taking advantage of warm weather from mid-April to May. They prefer water temperatures around 44° F. to 60° F. (7° C to 15° C) for spawning. If weather and water temperatures do not cooperate, spawning may carry on into July.

Spawning takes place in open but shallow, sheltered areas, usually at night but occasionally in the early morning. It lasts from two to four weeks. Males move into spawning areas first and wait for the females to join them.

One might say the yellow perch hang their young out to hatch. The zigzag, gelatinous strings of eggs, several inches wide and several feet long, are fertilized by the males as they appear. The eggs are deposited near rooted vegetation, submerged brush, or fallen trees. If necessity warrants it, eggs will also be deposited over sand or gravel.

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