Disclaimer:

The Nonindigenous Occurrences section of the NAS species profiles has a new structure. The section is now dynamically updated from the NAS database to ensure that it contains the most current and accurate information. Occurrences are summarized in Table 1, alphabetically by state, with years of earliest and most recent observations, and the tally and names of drainages where the species was observed. The table contains hyperlinks to collections tables of specimens based on the states, years, and drainages selected. References to specimens that were not obtained through sighting reports and personal communications are found through the hyperlink in the Table 1 caption or through the individual specimens linked in the collections tables.

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Common name: Trout-perch

Taxonomy: available through www.itis.gov

Identification: Trautman (1981); Smith (1985); Page and Burr (1991); Jenkins and Burkhead (1994).

Size: 20 cm.

Native Range: Atlantic and Arctic basins throughout most of Canada from Quebec to Yukon and British Columbia, and south to Potomac River drainage, Virginia; Yukon River drainage, Yukon and Alaska; Great Lakes and Mississippi River basins south to West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, southern Illinois, central Missouri, North Dakota, and northern Montana (Page and Burr 1991).

Alaska	Hawaii	Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands	Guam Saipan

Native range data for this species provided in part by NatureServe

Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUCs) Explained
Interactive maps: Point Distribution Maps

Means of Introduction: Unknown.

Status: Reported from Connecticut and Massachusetts. Possibly established in Utah.

Impact of Introduction: The impacts of this species are currently unknown, as no studies have been done to determine how it has affected ecosystems in the invaded range. The absence of data does not equate to lack of effects. It does, however, mean that research is required to evaluate effects before conclusions can be made.

Remarks: There exist conflicting views, and some confusion, in the literature concerning the native versus nonnative distribution of this species in the eastern United States. Lee et al. (1981) stated that early records of this species in the Potomac and Susquehanna river drainages may represent introduced fish from the Ohio River drainage that were transplanted by man during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. However, Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) argued that the species was native to the two drainages. They believed introduction to be unlikely because most early stockings were of game fishes, and government agencies in charge (of stocking fish) were infant when the Trout-perch was first reported. The species apparently was common in some parts of Chesapeake and in the Ohio Canal in the early 1900s (Radcliffe and Welsh 1916). Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) suggested that early stockings of predatory sportfishes may have contributed to the decline or disappearance of Percopsis omiscomaycus in the Potomac and Susquehanna drainages. As an aside, it should be noted that Jenkins and Burkhead (1994) apparently cited Lee et al. (1976) by mistake (most likely intending to cite Lee et al. 1981). Other researchers also apparently agree with the conclusion that it is native. In fact, Hocutt et al. (1986) listed the Trout-perch as native to the Susquehanna and extirpated from the Potomac. Similarly, Page and Burr (1991) noted that the species ranged south to the Potomac River drainage without discussing the possibility of introduction. On the other hand, the species may have been introduced to another Atlantic drainage. Whitworth (1996) included Trout-perch in his table of species that were probably transported to the fresh waters of Connecticut by humans (and that do not have at least one recently verified established population). He noted that the only report from Connecticut was a specimen taken from the Housatonic River drainage in 1879. However, Schmidt (1986) listed it as native to the Housatonic and Hartel et al. (2002) also apparently considered this species to be native to the drainage.

Based on Sigler and Sigler (1987), the Trout-perch was introduced into two water bodies in Utah. However, there is some uncertainty concerning the status of status of the species in that state. In their summary list of Utah fishes, Sigler and Sigler (1996) included Trout-perch in such a way as to suggest it was introduced and still present; however, these authors did not include additional details, nor did they include Trout-perch in a species account or in their fish identification keys. To date, we have been unable to find additional data documenting the continued presence of this species in Utah. In fact, we recently contacted several fishery biologists working in Utah and they were unaware of Trout-perch having ever been present in the state.

References: (click for full references)

Hartel, K.E., D.B. Halliwell, and A.E. Launer. 2002. Inland fishes of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Audubon Society, Lincoln, MA.

Jenkins, R.E., and N.M. Burkhead. 1994. Freshwater fishes of Virginia. American Fisheries Society, Bethesda, MD.

Lee, D., A. Norden, C.R. Gilbert, and R. Franz. 1976. A list of the freshwater fishes of Maryland and Delaware. Chesapeake Science 17(3):205-211.

Lee, D., S.P. Platania, C.R. Gilbert, R. Franz, and A. Norden. 1981. A revised list of the freshwater fishes of Maryland and Delaware. Southeastern Fishes Council Proceedings 3(3):1-10.

Page, L. M., and B. M. Burr. 1991. A field guide to freshwater fishes of North America north of Mexico. The Peterson Field Guide Series, volume 42. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, MA.

Schmidt, R.E. 1986. Zoogeography of the northern Appalachians. 137-160 in C.H. Hocutt and E.O. Wiley, eds. The zoogeography of North American freshwater fishes. John Wiley and Sons, New York, NY.

Sigler, W.F., and J.W. Sigler. 1987. Fishes of the Great Basin: a natural history. University of Nevada Press, Reno, NV.

Sigler, W.F., and J.W. Sigler. 1996. Fishes of Utah: a natural history. University of Utah Press, Salt Lake City, UT.

Smith, C.L. 1985. The inland fishes of New York state. New York State Department of Enivronmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

Trautman, M.B. 1981. The fishes of Ohio. Ohio State University Press, Columbus, OH.

Whitworth, W. R. 1996. Freshwater Fishes of Connecticut. State Geological and Natural History Survey of Connecticut, Bulletin 114.

Other Resources:

Author: Fuller, P.

Peer Review Date: 6/28/2011

This information is preliminary or provisional and is subject to revision. It is being provided to meet the need for timely best science. The information has not received final approval by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and is provided on the condition that neither the USGS nor the U.S. Government shall be held liable for any damages resulting from the authorized or unauthorized use of the information.