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PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER WHITE PERCH (invasive nuisance species) DO NOT TRANSPORT TO OTHER WATER BODIES Scientifi c name: Morone americana Average size: 7-10 inches in water bodies where the population is not stunted. Habitat: open water, near the surface. Diet: feeds on small fi sh, eggs of other species and aquatic invertebrates. Activity: move in large schools, generally in deeper water during the day and moving near shore at night. Identifying characteristics: ● Deep bodied, humpbacked. ● Silvery green-gray on top and silvery-white underside. ● No horizontal stripes, distinguishing the species from native white bass. ● Spiny and soft dorsal fi ns are slightly connected (white bass has completely separate dorsal fi ns). ● Small, pointed teeth. Interesting facts: ● Native along the Atlantic coast in brackish (slightly salty) water of estuaries. ● Invasive to freshwater, introduced to the Great Lakes through the Erie Canal and range has expanded westward through rivers and streams. ● Inadvertently introduced in Nebraska when stocking fi sh at Wagon Train Reservoir, south of Lincoln. ● Highly reproductive species, often leads to overpopulation and stunting. ● Can take over the fi sh community in water bodies where they are introduced. ● Popular bait fi sh, often spread by dumping left-over bait into water. ● It is illegal to transport or possess live white perch away from the water body from which they were caught. ● It is illegal to release bait fi sh or any fi sh caught from a different body of water into public waters. Fishing tips: still-fi sh with a worm below a bobber, or slow retrieve small plugs, spinners or jigs. 31 CHAPTER 5 ● IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE HISTORY