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White Perch ⚠ Invasive

🔬 Morone americana

A silvery, spiny-rayed fish originally from Atlantic coastal waters. Accidentally established in all five Great Lakes and spreading inland via bait buckets and connected waterways. Often confused with white bass but smaller and lacking the lateral stripes. An unwanted competitor for native yellow perch and walleye.

0.5-1.5 lbs, 8-12 inches
Typical size
3 lbs 12 oz
Michigan record
Spring, Summer, Fall
Best season
13
Listed lakes

Full stocking history & restocking forecasts with Fishing+

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📅 Best Times to Fish White Perch

Jan
Fair
Feb
Fair
Mar
Good
Apr
Excellent
May
Excellent
Jun
Good
Jul
Good
Aug
Good
Sep
Good
Oct
Good
Nov
Good
Dec
Fair

❄️ White Perch is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.

🛡 White Perch Conservation Status

⚠ Invasive White Perch is considered an invasive species in Michigan. Native to the Atlantic coast. Accidentally entered the Great Lakes and now established in all five. Spreading into Michigan inland lakes through bait-bucket releases and connected waterways. Competes with yellow perch and smallmouth bass for food and aggressively eats eggs of walleye, yellow perch, and other native species. Report new sightings to MDNR. The daily bag limit is 25.

🌿 White Perch Habitat & Behavior

Great Lakes, connecting rivers, and increasingly in inland Michigan lakes. Tolerates a wide range of conditions. Schools aggressively in open water and moves into rivers to spawn in spring. DNR records show White Perch present in 13 Michigan water bodies. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct and Nov. White Perch is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.

🎣 Best White Perch Techniques

Small jigs, spinners, and live minnows under a float. Aggressive and easy to catch. Do NOT transport live white perch -- this aids their spread.

🪱 Best White Perch Baits

Small jigs, minnows, night crawlers, spinners, wax worms

📋 White Perch Fishing Regulations in Michigan

25
Daily limit
50
Possession limit
Year-round
Season

Considered an invasive species in Michigan. No bag limits in many waters to encourage harvest.

⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually. Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.

🌊 Where to Catch White Perch in Michigan

Lake County Population
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Cass Lake
1,280 acres
 Oakland Good
Charlevoix Lake
17,260 acres
 Charlevoix Good
Cheboygan Lake
640 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Indian Lake
8,689 acres
 Schoolcraft Good
Lake Fenton
937 acres
 Genesee Good
Lake Gogebic
13,380 acres
 Gogebic Good
Lake Leelanau
8,562 acres
 Leelanau Good
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
 Macomb Good
Manistee Lake
930 acres
 Manistee Good
Mullett Lake
16,630 acres
 Cheboygan Good
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
 Muskegon Good
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
 Muskegon Good
Most valuable for White Perch anglers
See where White Perch will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 13 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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📋 Quick White Perch Facts

🔗 Resources

🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🪪 Buy a Michigan Fishing License 🎣 Log a catch

💡 Angler Tips for White Perch

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