New State Record White Perch Has Been Caught In Michigan

Every couple of years a new state record fish is caught in Michigan. This time an angler caught a record white perch.

What is a White Perch?

I am an avid angler in Michigan and I've seen yellow perch but I thought a white perch looked more like a yellow perch just more white and no yellow. I was wrong.

White perch are usually 7 to 10 inches long and typically weigh 8 ounces to a pound.  They don't have the same stripes as the yellow perch. The white perch is not native to Michigan but found its way here through the Erie and Welland canals and has invaded the Great Lakes.

I have never eaten a white perch and had to ask around to some of my Michigan fishing buddies who have and the consensus was they are similar to pan fish but have more of a fishy taste that is similar to a striped bass.

Read More: DNR: Be A Part of the Statewide Walleye Challenge

Angler Catches Record-Breaking White Perch in Michigan Waters

Angler Scott Smith and a buddy were fishing on Lake St. Clair in late April when he hooked a record-breaking white perch that measured 16.25 inches and weighed 2 lbs, 5.92 ounces. That is much bigger than the usual 7 to 10-inch fish. Like yellow perch, white perch love minnows which is what Smith caught this beast on.

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Smith is no stranger to catching record-breaking fish. Smith caught a record rainbow trout in 1996. He also holds 53 world records for fly fishing. Smith catching a record white perch is not really a surprise.