Yellow Perch
A schooling panfish with a distinctive golden, barred pattern, popular for both open-water and ice fishing.
- Scientific name
- Perca flavescens
- Family
- Percidae
- Adult size
- Commonly 7–10 inches.
Identification
Golden-yellow body with 6–8 dark vertical bars, and orange-tinged lower fins, especially bright during spawning season.
Habitat
Lakes, reservoirs, and slow rivers, typically schooling near structure or weed edges.
Diet
Insects, crustaceans, and small fish.
Angling
A favorite ice-fishing target across the states that stock it, as well as an open-water panfish taken on small jigs and bait.
Recommended Tackle & Gear for Yellow Perch
Field-tested tackle, baits, and rigging strategies suited for catching Yellow Perch.
Gary Yamamoto 5-inch Custom Senko Stickbaits
The heavy salt-impregnated plastic produces a unique horizontal shimmy on the fall around weed beds, docks, and submerged timber.
Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jig & Plastic Kit
Micro-jig heads paired with soft swimbaits mimic tiny baitfish and insects for schooling crappie and bluegill.
Aluminum Fishing Pliers with Braid Cutters
Safely removes hooks, pinches split-shot sinkers, and cleanly snips braided, mono, and fluorocarbon lines.
Plano Waterproof Utility Tackle Box Tray (3600)
Keeps terminal tackle, weights, and spinners dry and corrosion-free with customizable compartments.
As an Amazon Associate, StockedWaters earns from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Recommendations are chosen for hatchery-conditioned fish behavior and ethical rigging. We may receive a referral commission if you buy through these links. Read our editorial policy & standards.
Where Yellow Perch is stocked
When Yellow Perch is stocked
Top Yellow Perch waters
Fort Peck Lake
16 species · 1842 records
Last stocked July 2025
Yellowstone River
16 species · 1781 records
Last stocked October 2010
Missouri River
19 species · 1417 records
Last stocked October 2010
Flathead Lake
14 species · 1161 records
Last stocked October 1997
Hauser Reservoir
10 species · 897 records
Last stocked April 2026
Hyrum Reservoir
CACHE County · 12 species · 682 records
Last stocked May 2026
Farmington City Reservoir
DAVIS County · 9 species · 628 records
Last stocked June 2026
Meadow Creek P
WEBER County · 12 species · 601 records
Last stocked June 2026
Jensen Nature Park Pond
DAVIS County · 12 species · 445 records
Last stocked June 2026
Stillwater River
8 species · 434 records
Last stocked August 1982
Milk River
13 species · 325 records
Last stocked May 2014
Starvation Reservoir
SAN JUAN County · 12 species · 291 records
Last stocked July 2026
Foy Lake
11 species · 274 records
Last stocked September 2025
Lake Elmo
15 species · 263 records
Last stocked June 2026
Columbia Park Pond
Benton County · 11 species · 261 records
Last stocked May 2026
Tongue River
13 species · 247 records
Last stocked April 2020
Red Fleet Reservoir
UINTAH County · 13 species · 235 records
Last stocked July 2026
Nelson Reservoir
11 species · 209 records
Last stocked June 2025
Clarks Fork Yellowstone River
6 species · 195 records
Last stocked February 1965
Bynum Reservoir
8 species · 167 records
Last stocked June 2024
Yuba Reservoir (sevier Brg
JUAB County · 9 species · 166 records
Last stocked June 2026
Mill Meadow Reservoir
SEVIER County · 13 species · 162 records
Last stocked May 2026
Fresno Reservoir
13 species · 153 records
Last stocked October 2025
Gartside Reservoir
11 species · 138 records
Last stocked October 2025
Frequently asked
Where is Yellow Perch stocked?
Yellow Perch is stocked in 129 waters across 3 states: Montana, Utah, Washington.
When is Yellow Perch stocked?
Yellow Perch is typically stocked year-round, most often in April, based on records across every state that stocks it.
How many Yellow Perch are stocked?
About 118,252,804,640,910,740 Yellow Perch have been stocked on record since 1931, across Montana, Utah, Washington.
What size Yellow Perch are stocked?
Stocked Yellow Perch average about 5.1 inches, based on sizes reported by Montana, Utah — not every state reports sizes.
What does a Yellow Perch look like?
Golden-yellow body with 6–8 dark vertical bars, and orange-tinged lower fins, especially bright during spawning season.