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Sacramento Perch

(Archoplites interruptus)

Sacramento Perch, (Fishing) image

The Sacramento Perch is not a perch at all, but actually a sunfish. Its compressed and moderately elongated body can grow to be 16 inches in length. This sunfish has a pale belly, olive to black back; sides are olive-brown - upper sides being mottled with 6 to 8 irregular olive-brown bars. The mouth is large, extending to the middle of its eye. The dorsal fin has 12 to 13 spines and 6 to 7 anal fin spines, with a slightly forked tail fin.

The Sacramento Perch is the only sunfish native to the western United States; west of the Rocky Mountains. It's native to the non-turbulent sloughs, streams and lakes of California, and has been introduced to Utah, Nevada and Oregon.

When stocked in small lakes and ponds, adults continue to feed on aquatic insects when small fish and crustaceans are scarce. Nevertheless, Sacramento Perch will feed opportunistically when presented with an abundance of any type of food such as water boatmen, aquatic beetles, or small fish.

Sacramento Perch become sexually mature by their second or third year and spawn during late May and early June when water conditions needed for egg development are at their best. The male does not build a nest for the female, which is unlike other sunfishes. Instead, groups of males will head for the shallows to fertilize an egg drop spot, and then generally leave the location.