Stunted Perch

[Pikebreath]

Why are the perch stunted in so many Alberta lakes?

Prevailing thought used to be that perch populations stunted when overpopulation of perch stocks occurred and that increasing harvest would result in larger perch.

Have we reached a tipping point where we are now overharvesting perch before they can become large?

Or is it something else? Could it be a lack of baitfish (minnows etc) resulting in a predominantly aquatic insect diet for the perch?

Perhaps a combination of harvest and forage base?

Any other thoughts?

[whitetail Junkie]

Any other thoughts?

Your Fishing in the Wrong Lakes :D

[EZM]

There is definitely no way one answer can be correct for each distinct watershed.

Local unique conditions will dictate populations, size and distribution within that lake and/or river system.

The obvious ones are predation (fishermen, birds and other predatory fish), available food and forage, cover, water quality, etc... etc...

There are definitely good arguments to support your comments are true and other arguments that would oppose your view ...... depends on the specific lake or system you might be referring to.

My point is - this issue, and subsequent conditions that are deemed as contributing causes, if present, are very specific to each watershed.

Without a proper study, however, we are just throwing out opinions ..... but worth a good discussion anyways ...........

[Red Bullets]

There is a good article in the Summer 2014 edition of the Western Canada Game Warden magazine all about perch growth variations. I unfortunately gave the magazine on for someone else to read and can't refer to the article.

[Supergrit]

True there is lots of lakes with tiny perch. Probably not a coincidence that they are the lakes with easy access.