Yellow perch are most abundant in lakes, but we do catch them in freshwater portions of the Hudson. This fish usually has yellow sides marked with vertical olive green bars. Small yellow perch are important food for larger fish. Averaging one foot in length and about a pound in weight, mature fish offer good sport and good food to anglers. Perch are often caught by fishing through the ice in winter. Because of PCB contamination, however, the New York State Department of Health advises that anglers limit or avoid consumption of their catch.