Yellow Perch Research and Management in Lake Michigan

Abstract Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) is an important component of near-shore freshwater fish communities. It plays an important role in energy cycling and transfer, and is available to nearly all segments of the angling public and to commercial fisheries. Beginning around 1990, yellow perch population density declined in Lake Michigan due in part to an almost complete lack of recruitment. In response to this dramatic decline, the Lake Michigan Yellow Perch Task Group (YPTG) was formed (under the auspices of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission's Lake Michigan Committee) to develop a multi-agency research initiative to identify the likely cause(s) for yellow perch recruitment failure. The multi-agency effort has made substantial progress in addressing this question, and serves as a model for agencies to work collaboratively to address important management questions with a sound research strategy. We highlight the work conducted during 1997–2001 to address five factors (predation, zooplankton availability...