Editing White perch (section)

==Aquatic nuisance species==
[[File:White perch GLERL.jpg|thumb|250px|right|''Morone americana'']]
Some states consider the white perch to be a nuisance species due to its ability to destroy fisheries. They have been associated with the declines in both walleye and white bass populations because they feed heavily on [[Bait fish|baitfish]] used by those species and outcompete them for food and space.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=22553 |title=Invasive.org, White Perch |date=October 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2022}}</ref> Many states have enacted laws forbidding possession of live white perch. Additionally, these states recommend not releasing captured white perch back into the water to help control its spread.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ksoutdoors.com/Fishing/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species/Aquatic-Nuisance-Species-List/White-Perch |title=Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks |date=July 18, 2022 |access-date=July 18, 2022}}</ref>

<!-- not encyclopedic == Recreational fishing ==
For [[recreational fishing|recreational]] [[angling]], white perch put up a great fight for their size, are extremely aggressive and easy to catch on many [[soft plastic lure]]s rigged on [[jighead]]s. Even 4" white perch will attack a 2-3" [[fishing lure|lure]] many times on the same retrieve and hook themselves with the slightest [[hookset]]. They can also be caught on [[live food|live]] [[fishing bait|bait]] such as [[Glycera (annelid)|bloodworm]]s, [[nightcrawler]]s, [[halfbeak|spipe]]s or [[mackerel]] on small [[fish hook|hook]]s or double [[fishing rig|rig]]s through the ice.

White perch also have a hard, scaly body that, along with their sharp fins, protects them from predators. When removing a white perch from a hook, one should hold the [[fishing line|line]] gently in one hand and gently slide the other hand downward from beginning at the fish's nose while curling the thumb and touching the middle finger. Doing so will gently collapse the spined dorsal fin and prevent an unexpected prick injuries.

White perch are a popular [[delicacy]] for Chesapeake Bay fisherman and in many locations are considered a local favorite for a [[fish fry]], [[breading|breaded]] and [[baking|baked]], or even [[grilling|grilled]] with [[lemon juice]] and some freshly chopped [[vegetable]]s. The raw meat is of a somewhat pinkish hue, but when cooked, it is white and flaky. -->