Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
Also called Perch, Ringed perch, Lake perch.
How to tell it
Six to eight dark vertical bars on gold-olive sides; two separate dorsal fins; orange-red lower fins on spring males.
Often mistaken for
One fish that gets called yellow perch, and what gives it away.
- White perch: Silvery, no vertical bars. Tell them apart
Rules for
Every state
| State | Size | Bag | Season | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 9" min | 5 per person per day | Year-roundMD DNR 2026 · checked | Open |
Not specifically regulated in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida (Atlantic), Florida (Gulf), Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia: each state’s rule for unlisted species applies there (on its page).
On the table
Excellent — sweet, flaky; the classic fish fry.
In the app
Point the camera at a yellow perch and the name appears before you take the picture, with these rules for the water you’re standing in. No signal needed, and every catch goes in the log.
Get the appQuestions anglers ask about yellow perch
What is the size limit for yellow perch?
It depends on the state. Maryland: 9" min.
How many yellow perch can you keep?
Maryland: 5 per person per day.
How do you tell yellow perch from white perch?
Yellow Perch: Six to eight dark vertical bars on gold-olive sides; two separate dorsal fins; orange-red lower fins on spring males. White perch: silvery, no vertical bars.