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Post by Woody Williams on Jun 11, 2024 19:51:29 GMT -5
Lake Michigan fisheries staff recently concluded their spring perch sampling and have great results to share. Catch rates were excellent, and the average size was the best it has ever been! Many perch in the 13 to 15-inch range were observed, and growth rates appear excellent. This sampling was conducted at 30, 45, and 60-foot depths from Gary to Michigan City using bottom-set gill nets. The perch spawn has wrapped up on Lake Michigan, and the fish are now turning their attention to feeding. This should make for excellent angling opportunities through this month and next! For more information on fishing Lake Michigan, including perch fishing, visit the following link: bit.ly/FishLakeMichigan
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Post by deadeer on Jun 11, 2024 20:44:18 GMT -5
We are planning (and hoping) to get in on the action! Typically late June into July they will be congregating in close. Hot weather about the 4th of July is what I always remember as being the prime time.
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Post by duff on Jun 12, 2024 18:24:56 GMT -5
I spent 2 summers doing that work as a student biologist for Ball State. It was the year the commercial fishing was closed.
We had 3 sites. 1 east of MC harbor, 1 west of MC harbor and 1 out of Burns Harbor. Set 2 gill nets before sunset. Run 10 bottom trawls after sunset and pull the gill nets the next morning. Sort, sex and measure our catch...then fileted them tasty dudes. There were a few days we didn't touch the ones under 10 inches.
That was a great job!
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Post by featherduster on Jun 12, 2024 20:37:30 GMT -5
I spent 2 summers doing that work as a student biologist for Ball State. It was the year the commercial fishing was closed. We had 3 sites. 1 east of MC harbor, 1 west of MC harbor and 1 out of Burns Harbor. Set 2 gill nets before sunset. Run 10 bottom trawls after sunset and pull the gill nets the next morning. Sort, sex and measure our catch...then fileted them tasty dudes. There were a few days we didn't touch the ones under 10 inches. That was a great job! Did your group use the NORWESTERN boat from Michigan City?
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Post by duff on Jun 13, 2024 3:54:58 GMT -5
No, we used the RV Perca flavesens. A 20 ft Boston whaler. It was Ball States boat. I did go out on that boat a few times helping dnr. It was a beast.
I believe the chief biologist was Jim Francis those years. It was the summers of 96-97. In 98, I set hoop nets and built a shock boat to survey catfish on lower wabash. That was more my style but less fun due to the people I worked with. Plus, it was yr 1, so we had to stumble through a lot. Letting 3 bio students build a shock boat without oversight or google.....let's just say the professors young son was able to find out that electricity hurts.
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Post by esshup on Jun 16, 2024 19:38:54 GMT -5
Hot weather is a few weeks early, and the pond ecosystems are also a few weeks early. I bet the same in Lake Michigan.
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