Biologists get help from fish in managing invasive species in Kansas.

TOPEKA (KSNT) - Kansas wildlife officials are working to bring the numbers of an invasive fish species down and are asking anglers to pitch in with the effort.

Chris Steffen, aquatic invasive species coordinator with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP), told 27 News about the current management efforts for white perch in the Sunflower State. These invasive fish infest more than 20 reservoirs, lakes and rivers across the state.

White perch are one of several invasive species in Kansas' waterways, alongside Asian carp and zebra mussels, which cause a host of problems for native and sports fish. Biologists are taking a different approach with managing these fish, however.

"Our approach to White Perch management is different from invasive carp due to their biology and the ways they spread," Steffen said. "We have not been conducting mass removal efforts for white perch like we do with invasive carp, rather we use a combination of regulations, stocking of predator fish, and outreach to minimize the impacts of white perch to Kansas fisheries."

Steffen said longer minimum length limits are being used in lakes containing white perch for predator fish like walleye or wipers to help keep them in the water longer. The end goal is to help these predator fish eat white perch and keep their numbers low to help KDWP biologists out. Lakes containing white perch are usually given higher priority for stocking predator fish as well.

"We also strive to inform lake users about invasive species and how to prevent their spread," Steffen said. "We do this through a combination of information on our website, in our hunting and fishing regulations summary booklets, brochures at office, signage at lakes, social media posts, and more."

KDWP biologists also ask anglers to help out with the push to keep white perch numbers down by following state fishing regulations. These include restrictions on moving live bait, prohibitions on releasing aquatic invasive species into the water and other regulations.

White perch are believed to have been introduced to Kansas through the Missouri River and stock contamination, according to a 2019 report from U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS). They usually appear silvery green in color, have no lines or stripes and grow to less than 10 inches in length. White Perch are occasionally mistaken for white bass.

The KDWP advises anglers who catch white perch to eat or dispose of them properly and not return them to the water. If you find a white perch at a location other than where they have been reported previously, freeze the specimen, note the date and location then call the Emporia Research Office at 620-342-0658. Learn more about white perch management by clicking here.

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