Morone americana Gmelin, 1789

We determined spatial and temporal feeding patterns of white perch (Morone americana) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Erie by analysis of stomach contents. Diets were compared across years (1983-1985), seasons, basins of the lake (western and central), and depth in the western basin. Diets of these two fish species were generally similar, although white perch tended to use more zooplankton, while yellow perch consumed more Chironomidae, Sphaeriidae, and fishes. In other instances, competition apparently led to resource partitioning that resulted from differences in ontogenetic feeding requirements and mouth position between white perch and yellow perch. (Parrish & Margraf, 1994)

We studied its distribution and feeding during spawning in the Sandusky River, Ohio in 1981–1983. White perch were present in the area from early April through May, but abundance was highest on bedrock riffles about 45 km upstream from Lake Erie. Spawning activity peaked in the last week of April when temperatures approached 18°C. White perch collected in early April had eaten walleye,Stizostedion vitreum vitreum, eggs. As spawning activity of white perch increased, feeding activity declined, and most fish collected during late April contained no food. Egg predation increased again in May, but the eggs eaten then were those of white bass,Morone chrysops, white perch, and possibly other species. We have no evidence that egg predation by white perch has affected walleye or white bass recruitment, but it could become a problem if white perch continue to increase in abundance. (Schaeffer & Margraf, 1987)

As white perch spread throughout the Illinois River and further into the Mississippi River basin, negative interactions with native species may occur. These interactions may be realized initially with native species that utilize similar habitats and life strategies. Field collections have shown that in general, yellow bass and white perch are found in similar habitats and the chance for interaction could be high. One of the first interactions observed has been confirmation of white perch-yellow bass (Morone americana x M. mississippiensis) hybrids that were collected by LTRMP sampling in 2000 (INHS collection 89904), with an additional 32 hybrids collected in 2001. the yellow bass has a native range confined to the Mississippi River drainage and has experienced a general decline in abundance within La Grange Reach over the past 43 years (Figure 4). (Irons et al., 2002

Although the presence of white perch has negatively affected yellow perch growth rates in Lake Erie (Parrish and Margraf 1990), more complex interactions may occur with white perch and the forage fish community (Muth and Busch 1989, Hartman et al. 1992) in competition for zooplankton. White perch plankton consumption could be responsible for declines in forage fishes (Hartman et al. 1992) that will negatively affect walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum), the top predator in Lake Erie. Because of declines in emerald shiner (Notropis atheriwides) and spottail shiner (N. hudsonius) populations, walleyes are in a precarious position of relying increasingly on the variably-recruited gizzard shad for food (Hartman and Margraf 1992). ((Parrish & Margraf, 1994)