GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – If you’ve noticed perch becoming less available at your favorite Friday night fish spot, you’re not alone.
According to the most recent lake fish forecast by Riverside Foods, there’s a yellow lake perch shortage.
It’s because walleye are eating the perch.
Fish cutters have reported seeing a lot of walleye and find 3 to 5 perch in a walleye.
The top predator is also blamed for decimating smelt and officials say they will continue to see low levels of perch until the walleye population is cut back.
Other sources of perch such as Lake Winnipeg and Lake Ontario won’t be much help this year, and officials predict frozen perch from European sources will likely run out during Lent.
Paul Becker, the author of the lake fish forecast, says this cycle happens about every seven years but in 32 years, he says he has not seen a perch shortage like this or this early.
Perhaps one way to help the perch shortage is by ordering walleye instead.
