Hook and Hunting: Michigan Cuts Catch Limit to 25 for Yellow Perch

One of the most sought after fish species in Michigan has some new regulations by the Michigan Natural Resource Commission.

The catch limit for Yellow Perch will be cut from 50 to 25 starting April 1 of this year.

The abundance of Yellow Perch continues to be below long-term averages in most of the Great Lakes and many inland lakes.

Two exceptions include Lake Erie which remains at 50 and Lake Gogebic which limits to 25, no more than five perch 12 inches or greater.

“The goal is to conserve our perch population where we can and to maximize the opportunity to harvest but also make sure we’re protecting these fish in places where they need to be protected and to streamline regulations so that they’re easier for people to understand,” said Scott Heintzelman, the Fisheries Division Unit Manager for the DNR in Cadillac.

This brings Yellow Perch in line with other pan fish limits that are also at 25.