Where did white perch come from?
- White perch came from the Atlantic coastal region in brackish water.
- They first appeared in the Great Lakes in the 1940s through the Erie and Welland canals.
Why is it a problem?
- White perch are predacious and opportunistic feeders, often feeding on the eggs of walleye.
- They compete for zooplankton which may lead to algal blooms.
- White perch have hybridized with native white bass in western Lake Erie.
How do white perch spread?
- Unauthorized stocking has been a source of spread to inland waters in other states.
- White perch have been transported through boating.
How do we control white perch?
- Report suspected findings in inland waters.
- Education and inspection efforts can limit the spread of invasive species.
- Clean ballast tanks to remove sediment regularly.
- Remove fouling organisms from hull, piping, and tanks on a regular basis and dispose of any removed substances in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.