What feature causes White Perch (Morone americana) to be easily differentiated from the Yellow Bass?

Answer

White Perch lacks lateral stripes entirely

When attempting to distinguish the Yellow Bass from other related species like the White Perch, focusing on the fundamental pattern differences proves most effective. The White Perch, another member of the *Morone* genus, is visually set apart because it lacks the defining characteristic of the temperate basses—it does not possess any lateral stripes running along its sides. This complete absence of striping immediately separates it from the Yellow Bass, which, despite its confusing coloration, relies heavily on those horizontal dark lines for species identification, even if those lines are broken.

What feature causes White Perch (Morone americana) to be easily differentiated from the Yellow Bass?
fishcharacteristicyellow bass