Reproductive health of yellow perch Perca flavescens in selected tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay

► Reduced recruitment of yellow perch has occurred in urban tributaries of Chesapeake Bay. ► We compared reproductive health biomarkers in perch from two urban, one developing, two less developed watersheds. ► Lack of final maturation, abnormal yolk and zona pellucida were noted in females. ► Leydig cell proliferation was noted in males.