John comes to us from Loyola University where he has worked on Lake Michigan for many years. He has been involved with the multi-agency Yellow Perch Task Group since its formation and will continue to pursue research on yellow perch early life history. He will work closely with our Lake Michigan fisheries staff in developing and conducting research projects. John is also very interested in interacting with sport and commercial fishers, and others with interests in Lake Michigan fisheries. Yellow perch still recovering in Lake Michigan.
Yellow perch grow faster in Lake Michigan when they are scarce than when they are abundant.
We documented a reduction in growth rates during the 1980 s when yellow perch boomed, and recently, when the population declined, we saw growth rates surge. For example, this year yellow perch in their second summer average 8.9 inches in length, while fish of the same age in 1990 averaged 6.7 inches. The improved growth rates allowed the moderate 1998 year-class to became fishable early, and contributed to a false sense of optimism. We will continue to work with scientists and managers from other states in the Yellow Perch Task Group to monitor and assess the yellow perch population throughout the southern end of Lake Michigan using the best available methods. Recently the National Research Council formed a national committee of recognized experts to review the problem of fish stock assessment throughout the world.