Yellow Perch
Throughout the United States yellow perch are an important recreational and commercial sportfish. However, in Florida, these fish only exist in limited populations in the Apalachicola River watershed and are mostly unknown to anglers throughout the rest of the state.
FWRI biologists studied the life history of Florida’s yellow perch populations
- The yellow perch population in the Dead Lakes is the southern-most known population in the United States.
- Limited populations of yellow perch exist in Florida and no studies have explored life history characteristics of these fish in Florida.
- Biologist sampled and collected (via electrofishing) yellow perch in the Dead Lakes, Florida.
- The Dead Lakes yellow perch population showed extremely fast growth likely due to limited abundance and a long Florida growing season.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists recently conducted the first study of the life history of yellow perch populations in Florida. Throughout the United States yellow perch are an important recreational and commercial sportfish. However, in Florida, these fish only exist in limited populations in the Apalachicola River watershed and are mostly unknown to anglers throughout the rest of the state.
In 2015, biologists collected yellow perch during the fall (September and October) in the Dead Lakes – located in the Panhandle (Calhoun and Gulf Counties). The Dead Lakes are part of the Chipola River, which is the largest tributary of the Apalachicola River. Using an electrofishing boat, biologist collected yellow perch in the West Arm Creek area of the Dead Lakes. All yellow perch collected were measured and weighted. Biologists sacrificed a few individuals to examine stomach contents and otoliths were removed for aging purposes.
Aerial outline of Dead Lakes located in the panhandle of Florida. Sampling was conducted in the West Arm of Dead Lakes and Stone Mill Creek (shaded in grey). The marker in Stone Mill Creek represents the northern most point yellow perch were collected.
Biologists collected a total 271 yellow perch ranging from 3 to 13.5 inches and ranged in age from 0 to 6 years old. Most of the Dead Lakes sample consisted of Age-0 (48.3%) and Age-2 (32.8%) fish.
A majority of their stomachs (71%) had invertebrates present and around a quarter (28%) of the stomachs were empty. Crayfish (Procambarus spp.), Grass shrimp (Palaemonetes spp.), and insect larvae were the primary invertebrate food sources.
The yellow perch population in the Dead Lakes showed extremely fast growth compared to other populations across the United States. Biologists found some fish reached 12 inches in length in less than three years. Researchers attribute the fast growth to limited abundance and a long Florida growing season. Due to Florida’s warm climate, fish species are able to grow faster than northern fish populations.
The yellow perch population in the Dead Lakes is the southern-most known population in the United States. Florida summers produce high water temperatures that can reach or exceed the lethal thermal tolerance of these fish. Biologists also found that yellow perch in the Dead Lakes are highly concentrated in the West Arm and Stone Mill creek regions. They believe that the spring-fed water from Stone Mill creek may provide a cool water refuge to help alleviate stressful thermal conditions. Researcher are currently recording temperatures (via temperature loggers) throughout the Stone Mill creek and West Arm regions to examine the thermal conditions. Hopefully this will provide more insight into the life history of Florida’s lesser known sport fish.
FWRI biologists log summer time temperatures to better understand Florida’s yellow perch populations.
- Biologists monitored water temperatures for 12 months in Dead Lakes and Stone Mill Creek, Florida
- During the summertime months (June–September) the Stone Mill Creek area showed noticeably cooler temperatures with an average monthly temperature ranging from 77.4⁰–79.0⁰ F, compared to 82.0⁰–85.3⁰ F in the main Dead Lakes section
- We believe Stone Mill creek provides a cool water refuge to help alleviate stressful thermal conditions for Yellow Perch populations.
In Florida, Yellow Perch are only known to exist in limited populations throughout the Apalachicola River watershed, with reproducing populations in Lake Seminole and the Dead Lakes, the southernmost known population in the United States. Prior studies have shown the importance water temperature has on Yellow Perch populations and with higher temperatures in the south east, the summer months can be stressful for the fish.
In 2015 and 2016, biologists found high concentrations of Yellow Perch in the Stone Mill Creek section of the Dead Lakes. Stone Mill Creek is a spring-fed creek that flows into West Arm Creek and ending in the main Dead Lakes section. In 2015, biologists monitored water temperatures for 12 months in the Dead Lakes, to identify temperatures Yellow Perch experience throughout the year and temperature impacts of Stone Mill Creek.
Biologists set temperature data loggers–one at the mouth of Stone Mill Creek and one in the main Dead Lakes section. Using a weight and rope, the temperature loggers were placed at or near the bottom of the lake and tethered to a cypress tree for easy retrieval. The loggers were set to record water temperature four times a day (12:00 am, 06:00 am, 12:00 pm, 06:00 pm).
During the summertime months (June–September) the Stone Mill Creek area showed noticeably cooler temperatures with an average monthly temperature ranging from 77.4⁰–79.0⁰ F, compared to 82.0⁰–85.3⁰ F in the main Dead Lakes section.
Furthermore, in the main Dead Lakes section, 25% of summertime days (June–September) recorded temperature at or above 86.0⁰ F with a maximum recorded temperature of 90.9⁰ F (September 2015); whereas, Stone Mill Creek had a maximum recorded temperature of 83.8⁰ C (July 2015).
Studies have shown that lethal temperature for Yellow Perch range from 89⁰–93⁰ F (Hart 1952, McCormick 1976). The main Dead Lakes section showed high average summertime temperatures with some daily temperatures reaching lethal levels (> 89⁰ F), whereas, the Stone Mill creek section never reached lethal levels. We believe Stone Mill creek provides a cool water refuge to help alleviate stressful thermal conditions for Yellow Perch populations.
Aerial outline of Dead Lakes located in the panhandle of Florida. Sampling was conducted in the West Arm of Dead Lakes and Stone Mill Creek (shaded in grey). The red markers in Stone Mill Creek and main Dead Lakes represents the locations where temperature data loggers were placed.