Page:The fresh-water Fishes of New England (1896, Whidden).djvu/31



The Yellow Perch grows to twelve inches in length and to one pound in weight, although some weighing as high as four pounds have been caught. Color, back, black; sides, greenish yellow with black stripes; belly, white; belly fins and lower hind fins, red; breast fins and tail, black and reddish; back fin, black. When the Yellow Perch is found in clear water or sandy bottoms, the colors are much paler.

The Yellow Perch is found in all lakes, ponds, and slow-flowing streams, and when taken from springy water is an excellent foodfish, but often has a muddy taste when found in swampy ponds.

Bites readily, even on hot days, taking worms, grasshoppers, and live bait, and sometimes rising to the artificial fly.