Forecasting Abundance of Quality-Size Yellow Perch in Indiana Waters of Lake Michigan

Seven abiotic and biotic variables were tested to determine whether they influence the recruitment to age two of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), in waters of southern Lake Michigan, USA. Recruitment was analysed using a Ricker stock‐recruitment relationship that accounts for density dependency. Significant model variables tested individually and ranked by total variance explained included the abundance of sexually mature yellow perch, alewife, Alosa pseudoharengus (Wilson) and spottail shiner, Notropis hudsonius (Clinton). Variables found unrelated to recruitment or generally less explanatory included the abundance of round goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallus), mean water temperature, variation in water temperature and water clarity. The best‐fitting multivariable model explained 69% of the recruitment variability and included abundances of sexually mature yellow perch, alewife and spottail shiner. These results suggest that yellow perch recruitment in southern Lake Michigan is regulated in part by biotic interactions with other species of the near‐shore community, including alewife and spottail shiners, in addition to the abundance of reproductively mature yellow perch.

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“…1). The bottom structure of these areas is primarily undulating sand and clay ridges (see Shroyer & McComish 1998; Lauer et al. 2004).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Abiotic and biotic correlates of yellow perch recruitment to age‐2 in southern Lake Michigan, 1984–2007

Forsythe

Doll²,

Lauer

2012

Fisheries Management Eco

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“…Annual trawl catch rate was the number of fish >age 1 divided by the number of 1-h samples. A complete description of the trawl specifications and sampling protocol are described in Shroyer & McComish (1998).…”

Section: Adult Yellow Perch Samplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In 1995, a quota was established to restrict commercial harvest and strict regulations were applied to recreational anglers, but these measures failed to provide an immediate positive response in yellow perch abundance (Francis, Robillard & Marsden 1996). With yellow perch adult abundance dropping to the lowest level since the late 1970s (Shroyer & McComish 1998), the commercial fishery was closed in 1997.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in yellow perch length frequencies and sex ratios following closure of the commercial fishery and reduction in sport bag limits in southern Lake Michigan

Lauer¹,

Doll²,

Allen³

et al. 2008

Fisheries Management Eco

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The closure of the Indiana commercial fishery in Lake Michigan in 1997 provided the opportunity to examine the effects of commercial exploitation on the yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), population. Data from annual gillnet and trawl sampling, recreational angler creel surveys and commercial fishing harvest were used to determine whether changes in length-frequency distributions and sex ratios were altered following closure. The proportions of large, adult yellow perch were significantly greater after the closure of the commercial fishery. Overexploitation of fish >200 mm by commercial harvest likely truncated the size distribution, but recreational harvest was comparatively small and did not appear to be a factor influencing size distributions. This post-closure period also had a greater proportion of females in trawl catches, and the mean length of harvested fish increased in the recreational fishery. These findings suggest commercial exploitation influenced yellow perch population dynamics in far southern Lake Michigan. K E Y W O R D S :

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“…However, by gaining a better understanding of the range of natural dynamics, more realistic expectations should be possible. Our analysis suggests that it may be desirable to reduce walleye stocking intensity in Spirit Lake, vary stocking intensity from year to year, and perhaps attempt to match walleye stocking intensity with abundance of prey species other than walleyes, perhaps through the use of models forecasting prey fish year-class strength (e.g., Shroyer and McComish 1998).…”

Section: Management Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumption Dynamics of the Adult Piscivorous Fish Community in Spirit Lake, Iowa

Liao¹,

Pierce²,

Larscheid³

2004

N American J Fish Manag

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At Spirit Lake, one of Iowa's most important fisheries, walleye Sander vitreus (formerly Stizostedion vitreum) is one of the most popular species with anglers. Despite a century of walleye stocking and management in Spirit Lake, walleye growth rate, size structure, and angler harvest continue to decline. Our purpose was to determine the magnitude and dynamics of walleye population consumption relative to those of other piscivorous species in Spirit Lake, which would allow managers to judge the feasibility of increasing the abundance, growth rate, and size structure of the walleye population.We quantified food consumption by the adult piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake over a 3-year period. Data on population dynamics, diet, energy density, and water temperature from 1995 to 1997 were used in bioenergetics models to estimate total consumption by walleye, yellow perch Perca flavescens, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, and northern pike Esox lucius. Estimated annual consumption by the piscivorous community varied roughly fourfold, ranging from 154,752 kg in 1995 to 662,776 kg in 1997. Walleyes dominated total consumption, accounting for 68, 73, and 90% (1995-1997, respectively) of total food consumption. Walleyes were also the dominant consumers of fish, accounting for 76, 86, and 97% of piscivorous consumption; yellow perch followed, accounting for 16% of piscivorous consumption in 1995 and 12% in 1996. Yellow perch were the predominant fish prey species in all 3 years, accounting for 68, 52, and 36% of the total prey consumed. Natural reproduction is weak, so high walleye densities are maintained by intensive stocking. Walleye stocking drives piscivorous consumption in Spirit Lake, and yearly variation in the cannibalism of stocked walleye fry may be an important determinant of walleye year-class strength and angler success. Reducing walleye stocking intensity, varying stocking intensity from year to year, and attempting to match stocking intensity with the abundance of prey species other than walleye may improve the walleye fishery in Spirit Lake. RightsWorks produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted. Abstract.-At Spirit Lake, one of Iowa's most important fisheries, walleye Sander vitreus (formerly Stizostedion vitreum) is one of the most popular species with anglers. Despite a century of walleye stocking and management in Spirit Lake, walleye growth rate, size structure, and angler harvest continue to decline. Our purpose was to determine the magnitude and dynamics of walleye population consumption relative to those of other piscivorous species in Spirit Lake, which would allow managers to judge the feasibility of increasing the abundance, growth rate, and size structure of the walleye population. We quantified food consumption by the adult piscivorous fish community in Spirit Lake over a 3-year...

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Forecasting Abundance of Quality-Size Yellow Perch in Indiana Waters of Lake Michigan

Cited by 23 publications

References 12 publications

Abiotic and biotic correlates of yellow perch recruitment to age‐2 in southern Lake Michigan, 1984–2007

Abiotic and biotic correlates of yellow perch recruitment to age‐2 in southern Lake Michigan, 1984–2007

Changes in yellow perch length frequencies and sex ratios following closure of the commercial fishery and reduction in sport bag limits in southern Lake Michigan

Consumption Dynamics of the Adult Piscivorous Fish Community in Spirit Lake, Iowa

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