Seasonal habitat use of yellow perch Perca flavescens in a north‐temperate lake

Abstract

Knowledge of species‐specific fish biology, ecology, and habitat use is critical for informing science‐based management. Yellow perch Perca flavescens are an ecologically and recreationally important fish species. Yet, for many north‐temperate systems (e.g. inland lakes of Wisconsin), little is known about yellow perch seasonal habitat use and ecology. We characterised yellow perch seasonal spatial distribution, size–structure, and condition between littoral and pelagic habitats in Crystal Lake (Vilas Co., WI) during the open water period of 2021. Seasonal spatial distribution and population size–structure were characterised by contemporaneous sampling in littoral and pelagic habitats using mini‐fyke nets and vertical gill nets, respectively. Relative abundance estimates for yellow perch in the littoral zone were greatest during early spring and declined throughout the open water season. Yellow perch pelagic relative abundance estimates were lowest in spring, peaked at the onset of stratification, and then declined and remained relatively consistent throughout the open water season. In general, yellow perch population size–structure and condition were greatest in the pelagic zone. Our findings suggest that after spring spawning, larger yellow perch prefer/select pelagic habitats, while sub‐adults and juveniles prefer/select littoral habitats, potentially resulting from increased predator refugia and(or) resource availability. Our results emphasise the importance of evaluating gear and fishery assessment bias, particularly when the target species may use a range of habitat types within a system.

Response of yellow perch to water level fluctuations in oligotrophic, north‐temperate inland lakes

“…Outside of relative abundance indices (i.e., Beard et al., 2003; Feiner et al., 2020; Hansen et al., 1998; Rypel et al., 2016), little information on yellow perch population dynamics exists for north‐temperate, oligotrophic inland lakes (Feucht et al., 2023; Mrnak et al., 2021). Furthermore, yellow perch population status and trends are a “black box” for some state agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources due to unstandardized sampling protocols and limited resources (Mrnak et al., 2021).…”

“…Outside of relative abundance indices (i.e., Beard et al, 2003;Feiner et al, 2020;Hansen et al, 1998;Rypel et al, 2016), little information on yellow perch population dynamics exists for north-temperate, oligotrophic inland lakes (Feucht et al, 2023;Mrnak et al, 2021). Furthermore, yellow perch population status and trends are a "black box"…”

“…Yellow perch Perca flavescens are an ecologically and recreationally important fish species in the Midwestern United States (Beard & Kampa, 1999; Embke et al., 2020). Yet, yellow perch population dynamics and characteristics remain relatively understudied for many inland lakes of Wisconsin (Beard et al., 2003; Feiner et al., 2020; Feucht et al., 2023; Hansen et al., 1998; Mrnak et al., 2021; Rypel et al., 2016). Yellow perch have been frequently studied in the Laurentian Great Lakes (Henderson, 1985; Parker et al., 2009; Stacy‐Duffy et al., 2020), Prairie Pothole region of the Northern Great Plains (Dembkowski et al., 2014; Isermann et al., 2007; Lott et al., 1996), Missouri River reservoirs (Martin et al., 1981; Nelson & Walburg, 1977), and the Rainy Lake‐Namakan Reservoir complex in Northern Minnesota and Canada (Kallemeyn, 1987; Larson et al., 2016, 2018).…”

“…Water level fluctuations may indirectly affect fish assemblages through shifts in resource availability, structural spawning habitat, and(or) the availability of adequate refuge from predators (Carmignani & Roy, 2017; Gaeta et al., 2014; Wilcox & Meeker, 1992). In north‐temperate climates, yellow perch regularly use coarse woody habitat and macrophytes during spring spawning in the littoral zones of small lakes (Becker, 1983; Feucht et al., 2023; Mrnak et al., 2021; Muncy, 1962; Nelson & Walburg, 1977). It has been postulated that higher water levels will submerge more vegetation and coarse woody habitat and positively influence yellow perch populations through increased littoral habitat availability (Nelson & Walburg, 1977; Wilcox & Meeker, 1992).…”

“…In north-temperate climates, yellow perch regularly use coarse woody habitat and macrophytes during spring spawning in the littoral zones of small lakes (Becker, 1983;Feucht et al, 2023;Mrnak et al, 2021;Muncy, 1962;Nelson & Walburg, 1977). It has been postulated that higher water levels will submerge more vegetation and coarse woody habitat and positively influence yellow perch populations through increased littoral habitat availability (Nelson & Walburg, 1977;Wilcox & Meeker, 1992).…”