The Yellow Perch

The Yellow Perch belongs to the Percidae family. The yellow perch measures on average 10 to 25 cm in length and weighs between 50 and 200 g (up to 36 cm for 500 g). The average lifespan is about 7 years. It breeds from April to May. It can be fished all year round.
Its body is elongated and oval. Its head is moderately high and rounded at the tip. Its snout is obtuse and moderately long; it does not extend beyond the lower jaw. The mouth is terminal and slightly oblique. The jaws have small teeth. The operculum is finished with a strong thorn. There are 2 distinctly separated dorsal fins. The first dorsal spine is high and rounded, the spines are strong, the rays vary from 13 to 15. The second dorsal fin is almost as high, with 1 to 2 spines and 12 to 15 rays. The caudal is slightly forked. The color of the yellow perch varies according to its size and habitat. The back and dorsal surface of the head vary from bright green to golden brown to olive. The sides are pale yellow to yellow-green with about 7 vertical black bars of decreasing width. The ventral face of the head and body varies from grey to milk white. The dorsal and caudal fins range from yellow to green; the edge of the first dorsal fin is often black. In males in spawning livery the colors will be more intense: in particular, the pelvic and anal fins which are then bright orange.