View Full Version : perch questions
eyedoktr
03-01-2002, 11:02 AM
O.K., I know this isn't a walleye question but perch are the only thing worth fishing for around here (Rochester, NY area) right now. What do you all consider a "keeper", how about a "slob" ? Personally, I try not to keep any unless they are 9" or more and a "slob" to me is anything over 1.5#. Just wondering and thanks.
I ususally don't keep perch smaller than 10 inches or larger than 12 inches. A real pig perch here in SD is 2 pounds or better, but a 1 1/2 is a real nice perch anywhere.
Eyez
Dutchman
03-01-2002, 12:14 PM
Hi Eyez, a 10" fish makes a nice fillet, anything smaller goes back. A few of those make a great meal. I don't keep many in the freezer, then I wouldn't have an excuse to go fishing again :)
" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "
GANGGREEN
03-01-2002, 01:46 PM
Hey Doc,
Like eyez, I usually keep them between 10 and 12 inches but I'd concur that a 1.4-1.5 pounder is a slob. Email me at wragosta@earthlink.net if you're interested in a perch outing that some friends and I are planning for April 7th on Seneca Lake.
I don't think I have any perch in the freezer right now, had a slow winter for them this year. I did have the pleasure of releasing a couple 14 inchers though, they're fun to catch. The 10 inchers are much better eating though.
Man I can't wait for chamberlain.. Getting jittery. might be using my boat at that one, dad still hasn't had his motor rebuilt yet. The pistons are still in a rubbermaid tub in the polebarn :) Oh well, we always do better when I drive anyway ;)
Eyez
T-Mac
03-01-2002, 04:02 PM
We get them in really deep water in winter. 35-60 feet. When they come up they are done for. I keep them, regardless of size. To throw them back knowing full well they are history would be pretty slobbish!
I fillet them. 6' perch (even) will fillet fine, with a good filleter on the knife.
In summer, at shallower depths..I am more selective. 8-10" are my favorite to eat.
T-Mac
03-01-2002, 04:03 PM
Hah!
"6 foot perch" LOL...I wish!
I meant 6" not 6' uffdah.
Spurdog
03-01-2002, 10:15 PM
Ok, for all you guys that are catching jumbos that are 1.5 pounds or bigger, how does length equate to weight? It doesn't seem like the walleye formula would exactly apply, but maybe so. My boat record is only 14", that's what, about a pound?
EYESCHOOL
03-01-2002, 10:38 PM
T-Mac, I take it, you use Fireline to battle those six footers? ;-)
water_wolf
03-01-2002, 10:49 PM
Hi Pete,
Ohh about the size of the ones I caught today :) It was great meeting you today had fun fishing in the wind.lol Although a couple of the perch did look a little smaller on the fillet table vs. when they were put in bucket. Musta been Robert's fish...LOL! I will more than likely see you tommorrow.
Rich Ferguson
TONY ON ICE
03-02-2002, 02:54 AM
In the Finger lakes of New York, generally a 15 inch female perch (pre spawn) will run between 2 and 2.5 lbs and (post spawn or late fall) they will run in the 1.75 to 2.25 lb range.
15" Males seem to run 1.50 to 1.75 lbs on average.
My biggest was a 16.25 incher that weighed 2 lbs 13oz's. Big Female, pre spawn.
GANGGREEN
03-02-2002, 04:54 AM
Now I'm running into you everywhere. If we get together can you find ME a 2-13?
Bradnd
03-02-2002, 06:32 AM
I made myself a measuring board just for perch. I got some measurements (length to lbs.) from a biologists awhile back. A 10" perch will average right close to 1/2 lb., 11"- 3/4 lb., & 12"- 1 lb.
This time of year, the weight will be a little more with the females full of eggs. We weighed one last week that measured right at 12" & weighed 1lb 3oz. A 10" female looks like a giant next to a 10" male perch. But their is just as much meat on the male and I believe they are easier to filet.
There is not better eating fish than perch, although walleye is close behind!
Take care,
Brad
Spurdog
03-03-2002, 08:58 AM
Thanks for the help on the length/weight issue. I guess one of the last things on my "tackle needed" list is a perch range scale. Perch to 17 or 18 inches have been taken out of Lake Washington (WA state) where I usually fish for perch. Here we cannot use live bait and we get just one hook, so it's pretty much like walleye fishing in miniature. I'm looking forward to trying slip-bobbers on the weed edge this year, something I haven't had a chance to do yet.
Anybody have any recipes for the roe?