Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Updated 2023-11-09 15:14:32

Lake Michigan -> 3.0 Inshore Fish -> Yellow Perch Yield

3.1.1 Lakewide harvest of yellow perch between 2 and 4 million lbs

Yellow perch lakewide recreational harvest remains significantly less than peak harvest observed in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Figure 1). The trend in lakewide recreational harvest of yellow perch during the recent reporting period (2016-2021) is increasing, although trends in regional harvest data vary (e.g., Green Bay harvest ranges from level to increasing, southeast Lake Michigan harvest ranges from level to decreasing).

Yellow perch lakewide commercial harvest remains significantly less than peak harvest observed in the late 1980s and early 1990s (Figure 1). This reflects changes in yellow perch populations, but also significant changes in commercial regulations that have occurred over this time period.  The trend in lakewide commercial harvest of yellow perch during the recent reporting period (2016-2021) is level to slightly increasing; most current commercial harvest occurs in Green Bay waters.

Figure 1. Recreational, commercial and combined total lakewide harvest of yellow perch from Lake Michigan, 1985-2021. The minimum expected harvest is 2.0 million pounds.