Yellow Perch - Management Recommendations

Management Recommendations

This is a description of a monitoring plan for the yellow perch. The yellow perch plays a significant role in the survival and success of the double-crested cormorant, predatory fish, commercial fisherman, and sport fisherman in the Great Lakes region and that range is expanding. Due to their importance, this fish must be properly managed in order to prevent the trophic structure and economy of the Great Lakes region from collapsing. Although yellow perch are a sport fish that many enjoy targeting, they are much more important as a forage species for other fish and birds. Therefore, their management should be based upon this role. The aquaculture industry should be expanded to sustain the population loss due to disease or low reproduction years. Also, cormorant harassment procedures such as the ones used at Drummond Island should be put into place to control predation. If both procedures are in place, yellow perch populations will increase and the commercial and sport fishery of the Great Lakes region will remain strong.