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WHITE PERCH DOCUMENTED IN SEDGWICK
COUNTY'S LAKE AFTON
Anglers can help control spread of
undesirable, non-native fish species
July 29, 2007 - The invasion continues.
White perch, a fish species native to the Atlantic coast of North
America, now inhabit the waters of Lake Afton in Sedgwick County.
KDWP fisheries biologist Jessica Mounts said an
angler recently reported finding white perch at the 260-acre
lake located southwest of Wichita. Using electrofishing equipment,
Mounts confirmed the presence of the species at the Sedgwick
County-owned lake. The size of the white perch collected indicated
that they have inhabited Lake Afton for at least a year.
Like other non-native species, white perch create
problems for native fish by feeding heavily on baitfish utilized
by other sportfish, out-competing the more desirable species
for food and space.
In recent years, white perch have established populations
at several other Kansas locations, including Cheney and Wilson
reservoirs, Kingman State Fishing Lake, Hoover Pond in Kingman,
Carey Park Pond in Hutchinson, as well as in the Ninnescah, Arkansas,
and Saline rivers.
White perch resemble white bass, a popular sportfish
species in Kansas, although they do not have lines or stripes
along their sides and those encountered by Kansas anglers are
usually less than 10 inches long.
To help prevent the spread of the species to other
waters, the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission earlier this
year approved the addition of white perch to the list of prohibited
species. It is illegal to possess live white perch in Kansas,
or to release fish taken from one body of water into another.
Angler harvest can also help control white perch
populations. Anglers who catch white perch should not release
the fish or place them in livewells, but kill and dispose of
them or eat them.
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