SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL PATTERNS OF FOOD USE BY WHITE PERCH AND YELLOW PERCH IN LAKE ERIE

We determined spatial and temporal feeding patterns of white perch (Morone americana) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Lake Erie by analysis of stomach contents. Diets were compared across years (1983-1985), seasons, basins of the lake (western and central), and depth in the western basin. Diets of these two fish species were generally similar, although white perch tended to use more zooplankton, while yellow perch consumed more Chironomidae. Sphaeriidae, and fishes. In other instances, competition apparently led to resource partitioning that resulted from differences in ontogenetic feeding requirements and mouth position between white perch and yellow perch.