Silver Perch

Silver perch
Silver perch Silver perch are year-round residents of Chesapeake Bay but are most abundant in September and October. Their maximum adult size is 30 cm (1 ft.).
Silver perch
Silver perch Silver perch have small conical teeth and typically prey on polychaete worms, fishes, and small crustaceans.
Silver perch
Silver perch Silver perch spawn from April through June along the bayside and seaside Eastern Shore. Juveniles frequently inhabit shallow sea grass beds.

silver perch index graph

  • This species first recruits to the survey gear in July.
  • The only index calculated is for Age 0 fish: a few Age 1 fish are captured, but not enough to calculate a valid index.
  • The Young-of-Year cutoff values are:
    • July: 0-100 mm.
    • August: 0-130 mm.
    • September: 0-150 mm.
    • October: 0-160 mm.
    • November: 0-160 mm.
    • December: 0-160 mm.
    • January: 0-160 mm.
    • February: 0-160 mm.
    • March: 0-160 mm.
    • April: 0-160 mm.
    • May: 0-165 mm.
    • June: 0-170 mm.
  • YOY Index months are in bold.
  • Stations in both the upper and lower portions of the rivers and all Bay regions are used.

Data collected after the transition to a new vessel and net (June 2015) have been adjusted by a species-specific calibration factor.

Silver Perch Excel file