The Yellow Perch

Yellow perches (Perca flavescens) are one of 130 species in the perch family (Percidae).  These freshwater fish can be found in streams, lakes, ponds and rivers with clear water and aquatic vegetation.  They can be identified by their oblong bodies and golden yellow or brassy colored scales.  There are also 6-7 dark vertical bands that run from the dorsal area to near the belly.  Yellow perches typically have olive colored dorsal and caudal fins, along with greenish orange pelvic and anal fins. The heaviest perch on record weighed 4 ¼ lb (1.9 kg), but the average weight is about 2 lb. 

Methods of hunting
During most of the day, yellow perches live in deep water and congregate into schools.  However, at dawn and at dusk, yellow perches move into shallow water to feed.  Yellow perches, which do have small teeth, feed on smaller fish.  Their diet also includes insects, snails and small crayfish. 

Impact on the inhabitants of the Alligator River area
Yellow perches are commercially fished in the Alligator River area.  Most of the fish are caught between the months of May and June.  Fishermen sometimes utilize pound nets to catch yellow perch.  The following videos illustrate the fishing process: