Latin name

Percopsis omiscomaycus

Other names

Troutperch, silver chub; French: omisco.

Identification

The trout-perch gets its name from its superficial resemblance to trout, as it has a fat fin, and its body configuration to yellow perch or juvenile walleye. It has a rather deep cylindrical body with a slender tail, large eyes and a large unscaled head that is flattened on the underside. The coloration is clear yellow-olive with silvery spots on top and rows of dusky spots along the back and sides. A related species, the sandroller (P. transmontana), is smaller and slightly darker, with a more arched back.

Distribution

Troutperch are found from Hudson Bay to the Yukon Territory and from the Potomac River west to Kansas. Sandroller are found in the Columbia River Basin.

Habitat

Trout-perch inhabit lakes, backwaters, and the edges of medium to large stream basins. It is mostly a deep water fish.

Size

The maximum length of this species reaches 6-8 inches. The common length is 3-5 inches.

Life history and Behavior

This species spawns in late spring, usually on the sandy-pebbly sections of tributaries and sometimes on the sandy shoals of lakes. Most trout-perch die after spawning, although some fish live to spawn twice.

Food and feeding habits

Trout-perch feed on aquatic insects and small crustaceans and usually move from deeper waters to shallower coastal areas at night to feed.

Reproduction

No information