White perch are an important recreational game fish primarily found in the Chesapeake Bay. Popular for their taste as much as for their sporting qualities, these fish gather in large schools and can provide productive fishing for kids and adults alike. White perch also make a nutritious low-fat, high-protein meal.
Identification
You can identify a white perch by its silvery color, which sometimes has a greenish-gray tint toward the back. Faint horizontal lines are sometimes visible, but are never as prevalent as those of the white bass, a related species that is similar in appearance. White perch have a slightly protruding lower jaw and small teeth, and can have a somewhat "hump-backed" appearance. White perch are capable of reaching 19 inches but most are 7 to 10 inches and weigh under a pound.
Destinations
The Chesapeake Bay is the primary place to catch white perch in Maryland. These fish are one of the most abundant species in the bay and also can be caught in great numbers in its tributaries, especially in spring and fall. White perch have also become established in Maryland's larger inland reservoirs like Liberty, Loch Raven, Prettyboy, Tridelphia, and Rocky Gorge reservoirs.
Habits & Habitat
Adult white perch usually spend the warmer months in open water close to shore, but may also be found in quiet parts of streams. They migrate to streams and rivers in great numbers in April, where they stay to spawn until June. Spawn time is the peak fishing season for white perch, but fishermen can also meet with great success from September through November. White perch spend their winters in deep channel areas. Bottom-oriented fish, their diet consists of crabs, shrimp, and small fish.
Fishing Tips
Because they are so widely distributed around a variety of habitats, you can catch white perch from shore or from a boat during most of the year. Fish live minnows, shrimp or worms near the bottom. Artificial lures can also be effective; try minnow-imitating jigs, small crankbaits and soft plastic lures.
Regulations
You can keep as many white perch as you can catch in Maryland; there are no seasonal or size restrictions. You must have a Maryland fishing license, however. You can purchase a license through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website or at bait shops and other retailers statewide.
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