Perch are small to medium sized freshwater fishes. They have long, rounded bodies which are laterally compressed (meaning squashed along the top and bottom). All yellow perch have two dorsal fins; the first is spiny (or bony) rayed, the second is soft rayed.
Most fishermen are very familiar with this common fish species. Yellow perch have olive green backs, yellow green sides and a light belly. Their pectoral fins are lightly colored, and their pelvic fins are pale or bright orange. They have 6-8 darkened stripes running up and down the sides of their bodies. Perch have relatively large mouths, and bright yellow or green eyes.
The yellow perch is a carnivore (meat eater), and prefers to spend most of its time near the bottom of the body of water it inhabits.
