Tracing the white perch
The native range for White Perch is along the east coast of the United States, between South Carolina and Maine, though they are most abundant through the Hudson River and Chesapeake Bay. Before the 1950s, there was a bag, size and season limitation on White Perch, to allow the species to grow to a desirable size and grow. However, this protection inadvertently resulted in the uncontrollable spike in the species, though many other factors did contribute to its growth. As a result in the growth of the population north of the Hudson River, the White Perch eventually gained access to the Oswego River and from there, spread into the Erie Bridge Canal.
Unfortunately enough, White Perch are able to survive in freshwater and brackish water (mix of salt and freshwater). Due to this advantage they can spread rapidly through rivers, streams, lakes, and along the coast without considerable damage to their own. However, they are preferable to level areas of silt, mud, clay or sand found in freshwater estuaries.
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In 1964, White Perch were accidentally released into the Missouri river from Nebraska. White Perch have also been illegally released into the Lakes through anglers, and through states who release them for sport or game fishing. First seen in Lake Michigan in 1988, the White Perch have gained traction in their population. It is suspected by Illinois and Indiana, that White Perch were purposely released by anglers who believed it would better their fishing opportunities.
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