GREAT OUTDOORS: Get ready for big Western Basin perch bite

Labor Day weekend has traditionally marked the beginning of perch fishing season, but changes to our Great Lake has led to the need to shift to a different strategy. If the past few years are any indication, the heat of the summer is the new best time to concentrate on gathering a stockpile of yellow perch fillets to supply year-round fish fries. Anglers need to be willing to set aside their walleye gear and go perch fishing in the Western Basin when water temperatures are above 75 degrees. Metabolism rates in cold-blooded animals increase with temperature and Lake Erie water temps typically peak in July or August before cooling begins in September. Consequently, fish are looking to consume as much prey as their stomachs can fit just to break even with calories burned vs. consumed. One of the top prey items these days for several species of fish is an invasive species of zooplankton, the spiny water flea. Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologists have observed that these zooplankton cease reproduction when water temperatures reach 75 in the heat of the summer. Another major prey item of yellow perch is the mayfly. By the end of June, most of the second-year, sub-adult insects that will emerge this summer have done so. They typically peak in the Catawba/Bass Islands area around Father's Day. So, as densities of these zooplankton and aquatic insect species diminish, perch switch to alternative sources of prey. Luckily by then, billions of juvenile and larval fish are dispersing from the Maumee River and the reefs. When the perch are preying on fish, Emerald or Golden shiners both work well. Lake water temperatures were lagging due to the cooler-than-normal spring, but Mother Nature has a way of balancing things up and the heat dome that parked overhead this week warmed the lake quickly. Last year, limits of yellow perch were being caught beginning in early July and good fishing continued for over a month. I got out four times in July last year and caught my 30-fish limit of perch twice and tallied numbers in the mid-to-upper teens during the other two trips. In recent years, most perch hatches in the Western Basin have been above the 30-year average and many are growing to over 8 inches in their second year. This year will have good numbers of fish from the strong 2021 hatch that are 9 inches to over 11 inches long. Several licensed "6-pack" Lake Erie charter captains advertise perch charters. If it is not possible to gather a full perch fishing crew, walk-on head boats operating from downtown Port Clinton or Marblehead are an excellent option.All charter boats have minnows and ice on hand and can loan customers fully rigged rods. With Lake Erie yellow perch fillets selling locally from $20.45 per pound for the 11-pound case of frozen fillets at Gordon Food Service to freshly caught fillets for $25.99 per pound at Port Clinton Fish Company, it shows how much value there is in catching some fresh perch dinners. Even though going perch fishing may not save any money compared to just loading a shopping basket or cart when wanting to have a perch fry, this simple and often productive type of fishing is a lot more fun. Pick a calm day after a few days of stable weather, and for the next two months, yellow perch should be gathered in large schools waiting for anglers to arrive.