Fish · Side by side
Walleye vs Yellow Perch
How to tell them apart
Quick answer
Look at the mouth and the eyes: a walleye has big canine teeth and glassy, silvery eyes, while a yellow perch has only fine, brush-like teeth and ordinary eyes. Perch also wear six to eight bold vertical bars on bright yellow sides, and walleye have a white tip on the lower tail lobe.
Walleye and yellow perch are both members of the perch family, Percidae, and across the northern lakes they share the same water, the same ice-fishing holes and often the same frying pan. A small walleye and a big perch can end up side by side in a bucket, and the two are often under different limits, so it is worth knowing them apart instantly.
Key differences
| Trait | Walleye | Yellow Perch |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth | Large, sharp canines | Fine, brush-like teeth only |
| Eyes | Large, glassy and light-reflecting | Ordinary, not reflective |
| Side markings | Faint dark saddles on olive-gold | Six to eight bold vertical bars on yellow |
| Tail | White tip on the lower lobe | No white tip |
| Body shape | Long and torpedo-shaped | Shorter and slightly humped |
| Typical size | 14–20 in, 1–3 lb | 6–10 in, under 1 lb |
| World record | 25 lb (IGFA, 1960) | 4 lb 3 oz (IGFA, 1865) |
| Feeding time | Dawn, dusk and night | Daylight hours |
Same family, different jobs
Walleye and perch both have two separate dorsal fins, a spiny front fin and a soft rear one, plus the rough, saw-edged gill covers of the perch family. Beyond that they live different lives. The walleye is a large, low-light predator built to hunt fish, with a reflective layer in its eyes for seeing in the dark. The yellow perch is a small, schooling daytime feeder that eats insects, crayfish and small fish, and it is one of the walleye's favorite meals.
Where you find each one
In the same lake they often split the habitat. Perch roam weed edges, sand flats and soft-bottom basins in schools during the day. Walleye relate to rocky reefs, points, drop-offs and current breaks, holding deeper or in weeds when the sun is high and moving shallow to feed at dusk and after dark. Through the ice, both can be caught over the same mid-lake structure, with perch biting through the day and walleye peaking at first and last light.
Which is better to eat?
Both rank among the best-eating fish in fresh water, and both have white, mild, flaky fillets. Walleye give thicker fillets from a single fish, while perch fillets are small, sweet and firm, which is why Great Lakes fish fries are built around them. Many anglers say a plate of jumbo perch beats walleye. Either way, check local consumption advisories for your water before keeping fish.
By the numbers
The traits the daily fish game compares for each.
| Clue | Walleye | Yellow Perch |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Perch family | Perch family |
| Water | Freshwater | Freshwater |
| Region | Northern lakes & rivers | Northern lakes & rivers |
| Body shape | Long & slender | Streamlined |
| Max length | 42 in | 20 in |
| Max weight | 25 lb | 4 lb |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
FAQ
Is a walleye just a big yellow perch?
No. They are related, both in the perch family, but they are different species in different genera. Even a small walleye has canine teeth, glassy eyes and a white-tipped tail that no perch has.
Do walleye eat yellow perch?
Yes. Yellow perch are one of the most important prey fish for walleye in many northern lakes, which is why perch-colored crankbaits and jigs are so popular with walleye anglers.
Which tastes better, walleye or perch?
It is a matter of taste. Both have mild, sweet, flaky white meat; perch fillets are smaller and many people find them a little sweeter, while walleye give thicker fillets.
Can you catch walleye and perch in the same spot?
Often, yes, especially through the ice on mid-lake structure and weed edges. A small jig tipped with a minnow will catch both, with perch biting more in daylight and walleye at dawn and dusk.
Could you tell them apart from a few clues? Test yourself in today's puzzle.
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