02-16-2005, 12:21 AM
I grew up in that area and back in the late 50's, 60's and into the 70's the perch never did overpopulate in Yuba. They wanted to put Walleye someplace in the state to feed on the perch, but then much to their surprise the perch became a very popular game fish. So between the fishermen and the Walleye, the fluctuating water levels, and lack of cover for the perch...the perch have disappeared.
Since then the Walleye have starved and because of the drought, the drain down of the lake and combined with lack of feeder fish...the Walleye have also disappeared.
The perch is a very slow growing fish and as long as they have a good food source and time to grow, they will get to a significant size, but regulation is required to protect the perch from unscrupuluos fishermen who only want those of size.
If fishermen take only the large fish...in essense the spawners and the walleye eat all the smaller fish...the perch will just disappear again.
This is why the DWR and the BASS Federation and Walleye groups are trying to put Xmas trees and other structure into the lake.
We also need another type of feeder fish or food source for the Walley and Perch to maintain a viable fishery.
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Since then the Walleye have starved and because of the drought, the drain down of the lake and combined with lack of feeder fish...the Walleye have also disappeared.
The perch is a very slow growing fish and as long as they have a good food source and time to grow, they will get to a significant size, but regulation is required to protect the perch from unscrupuluos fishermen who only want those of size.
If fishermen take only the large fish...in essense the spawners and the walleye eat all the smaller fish...the perch will just disappear again.
This is why the DWR and the BASS Federation and Walleye groups are trying to put Xmas trees and other structure into the lake.
We also need another type of feeder fish or food source for the Walley and Perch to maintain a viable fishery.
[signature]