California’s only native sunfish was once so abundant it was a regular staple in San Francisco’s markets, but its numbers declined with the introduction of non-native fish in the early 20th century
California’s only native sunfish, the Sacramento perch, survived catastrophic floods in the 1860s and was so abundant that it was a regular staple in San Francisco’s markets before invasive species decimated its population. State officials recently introduced Sacramento perch to Southern California in an attempt to widen its range, strengthen its gene pool, create a breeding stock and generate interest among more anglers. Biologists with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife released the first batch of 37 mostly juvenile Sacramento perch on Thursday evening in San Diego County’s only natural lake, Lindo Lake in Lakeside, a suburb east of the city of San Diego.
California's only native sunfish, the Sacramento perch, survived catastrophic floods in the 1860s and was so abundant that it was a regular staple in San Francisco's markets before invasive species decimated its population.
Sacramento perch, California’s only native sunfish, was introduced in a lake near San Diego to boost its population after invasive species decimated its numbers in the 20th century.