Introduced yellow perch in two Southeastern US reservoirs: ecological interactions with resident fishes

Abstract

ABSTRACTRoberts CM, DeVries DR, Wright RA. 2018. Introduced yellow perch in two Southeastern US reservoirs: ecological interactions with resident fishes. Lake Reserv Manage. 34:141—153.Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) has been introduced into Southeastern US drainages outside its native range; unfortunately, the effects of these introductions at the edge of their distribution on resident fishes have not been well documented. To determine the potential interactions between introduced yellow perch and resident fishes, we quantified diets of multiple life stages over 2 yr in 2 Alabama reservoirs. Temporal and spatial co-occurrence between larval yellow perch and native fishes was limited, and diet overlap was generally low at all life stages. Juvenile yellow perch were consumed by Micropterus spp. in both lakes during spring, suggesting some potential benefit for native piscivores. We suggest minimal negative effects of yellow perch on native fishes in these Southeastern US systems due to their generalist diet, early spawning period, and cool water temperature requirements. In addition, yellow perch may represent an alternative prey resource for piscivores.