Balance is everything…
I like perch in part because they almost never have a nasty taste, to me. People who love fish really like them, and people who usually don’t like fish do, too.
To me ,perch are very accessible, an “everyman’s” fish, like other panfish. I have never caught a laker or a koke, to me those are exotics like hunting African game or grizzlies. Perch are the local deer and rabbits. Everybody can get to perch, and almost anybody can catch them. The quest then is to find the big ones and chuckle evilly while everybody else has to catch 7 inches.
Also, since I can’t figure out the “big game” fish, and can’t seem to make friends with rich, beautiful women with all the knowledge and gear, I’m stuck a lot catching planted rainbows. Have you ever eaten one of those pasty, tasteless, mushy things? THAT’S nasty, and you can’t even filet them. They aren’t much bigger than a nice.perch, either.
I’m no sure if you fillet them with an electric knife or not but it sure makes the job a whole lot faster, I’m sure you, knowing TD, are probably using an electric knife.
School us about bucket biology and then tell us how great the perch fishing was at Starvation, you did work for DWR. Perch are Great eating and because the DWR views them as trash the liberal limits without even a slot (hard to imagine) make harvesting them tasty and fun.
I do use a Rapala electric fillet knife. I got one of the better ones that runs on 12V DC and 110 AC. It’s handy at Lake Powell in my boat and I can use it at home for the panfish. I gave up using my teeth to clean fish when my wife complained about the bad breath many years ago. Now she just complains that I fish too much. I am back working nearly full time and retired…I deserve it, just ask me!
[:p]
I believe you need to do a little research before you chime in. Starvation is a somewhat unique fishery. Unless I’m mistaken, perch were introduced by the DWR years ago to provide a forage base for the walleye. The Northeastern Region aquatics managers were trying to balance a warm and cold water fishery to benefit the anglers that like to pursue multiple species. The presence of perch, smallmouth bass and walleye has required the stocking of larger rainbow trout and the stocking has resulted in very good fishing for rainbows in the 16 to 20 inch range. I think Starvation is a great example of a multi species water with tremendous angling opportunity. I tip my hat to the NE Region personnel who fought hard to provide the best fishery they could construct with the options available to them.
Many of the waters with perch are the result of illegal introductions that usually conflict with the management of the various trout species.
Forsyth Reservoir is one that immediately comes to mind. Last winter we caught some dandy perch over there that were almost 13 inches. There were thousands of small perch and it was impacting the tiger trout. The chemical treatment to remove the perch unfortunately removed many nice tiger trout and that fishery will have to start from square one. The money certainly could have been spent elsewhere to improve fishing opportunities around the state.
Hahahahahahahaha i figured this mite get a raise out of a couple people but I don’t really eat fish I just LOVE to fish [fishon] but there is nothin like get a 15 pound channel cat or muskie or even a laker mabey this weekend ill have to go fish for some and try them but the seem like more work then there worth
I caught some perch with a friend who’d only ever eaten trout. I filleted a bunch and cooked them up. He liked them so much he went out the next week and caught some on his own. He didn’t know how to fillet them, so he fixed them like he had always done with trout. He gutted them, cut the heads off, rolled them in flour and fried them.
Needless to say, his first bite was full of scales. The next day we had a lesson on how to fillet fish.
All depends on your preference, I personally prefer the trout and Kokanee. If you could find big enough perch they would be okay but they have more splines and stickers than a fish ought to have and if you don’t prepare them correctly they have a nasty taste to them. But if done right they are pretty good if you like light flaky mild flavored fish. It just takes a lot of work to get enough to eat. Sort of like mourning doves to me, ya can eat them but its not worth killing a flock for one meal. But that’s my take, I know I’m in a big minority on this site but someone needs to represent the opposite side right? Later J
+1
Nothing against Perch here either but Trout and Salmon are also my Favorite. I like the stronger Fishy taste.
My favorite fish. Sweet buttery white flesh. Their skin is crispy and tastes like bacon if you scale it and fry it in a cast-iron skillet with butter. I understand if you don’t want them, I will give my address to anyone who doesn’t want to hassle with cleaning them. Walleye are the only thing better in my book, taste the same but more meat for the work, only thing is walleye aren’t so easy to catch. Find a cloud of perch on the finder and go to town. Good luck trying to catch your boats limit too. YUM!
I believe you need to do a little research before you chime in. Starvation is a somewhat unique fishery. Unless I’m mistaken, perch were introduced by the DWR years ago to provide a forage base for the walleye. The Northeastern Region aquatics managers were trying to balance a warm and cold water fishery to benefit the anglers that like to pursue multiple species.
You are mistaken. DWR did not want perch in Starvation. In fact they were frequently netting the walleye in hopes that they could remove enough of them that the chubs could recover for the forage base. When perch were discovered in Starvation they abandoned the netting program, because perch were another predator that would be eating the chub fry and it was hopeless to attempt to protect the chubs any longer.
OK, I stand corrected. Starvation has certainly had a checkered past and there have been many measures used to support the fishery that’s evolved. I say let’s enjoy what the lake provides in the way of angling opportunities.
Slightly easier than bass to catch for fish tacos [:P]. Almost as good as crawdads overall. I personally rarely bother with perch or the crawdads because of the hassle factor.
I’m no sure if you fillet them with an electric knife or not but it sure makes the job a whole lot faster, I’m sure you, knowing TD, are probably using an electric knife.
hmmm…I’m not sold on the electrics.
I spent a couple days on Powell in November. Actually had to listen to TopH20 belly-ache about the elections all night long! We filleted hundreds of fish (gill-netting with the DWR). We attempted to use an electric fillet knife on the first batch of fish from day 1 (all caught hook-and-line). We had about 20 stripers, another 20 crappie and a handful of walleye. After about 15 fish with the electric, we gave it a toss and broke out the traditional fillet knives. Over the course of the next couple days, we filleted hundreds of fish and never thought twice about using the electric again.
I guess we all have our different preferences, and everyone needs to try out different products to find the one that suits them the best. We’ll keep our regular knives, and leave the electrics to you fellas.
im the same as you, i cant do the electric, i just use my deer hunting knives and it works awesome for me atleast, like PBH said its a matter of personal preference.
Hehe, I’ve noticed that BFT, in particular, probably has a greater population of perch/bass/crappie lovers than trout heads.
Just as an example, someone could name a post “Lots of Fat Trout”, have tons of pics of such, and watch as their post fades off the front page within a day or two, only getting a small handful of responses. That same person could name a post “Lots of Perch” and that post would likely be a hot topic all week long.
Nothing wrong with that though. It’s all in the preference of the main demographic. There are more trout-centered local sites around and even sub-forums here that lean that way.
Personally, I love eating perch and actually enjoy fishing for them when they’re encountered. Most of my trips are centered around trout, but a few times a year, I’ll actually chase other species with a purpose.
As a lover of cooking fish, I’m a big fan of the way perch taste, like most people with a tongue. If I’m going to eat them though, I’d prefer them to be at least 9”, just so it’s worth the work. Crappie are really good too, and I think they’re the easiest fish to fillet. Walleye are somewhat rare for me, but they’re top shelf!
I’m still not sure why there are a bunch of people that seem to genuinely dislike everything about trout though. They’re beautiful, they live in beautiful places (not counting my lunch box[:p]), and they taste great!
A little tip for trout haters: Fillet them, dip them in whipped egg, then roll in Parmesan before frying them. You’ll change your tune and your house won’t even smell like fish. Deeeeeluxe!
**He is a former DWR CO. He uses his teeth.
If I’m going to eat them though, I’d prefer them to be at least 9”, just so it’s worth the work. Crappie are really good too, and I think they’re the easiest fish to fillet. Walleye are somewhat rare for me, but they’re top shelf!