Yellow Belly Perch/Lake Perch

[TNBronzeback]

Ive read that these have started to pop up more and more in some TN reservoirs. Is there much of a fishery for them that anybody here has noticed? i would figure Dale Hollow and Center Hill would be ideal for them since they are so deep and clear, and the 'eyes just love munching on them! I thought i read that some people have got some good ones around the Reactor Bend area of Melton Hill at various times of the year. I think the state record is just over 2lbs if i remember right.
Just curious about them, thats #1 table fair up north and i wouldnt mind chasing some of them down here if they are around. Nothing that swims is safe anymore now that im not limited to shore. LOL

[dannys07]

Ky lake has them

[bfish]

these guys?



I do better on the higher elevation lakes near the NC border.

[TNtransplant08]

Oh man, reminds me of Friday night fish fries back up north. Sure are good eating!

[blink]

I lived in eastern MA until i was 7. This was in 1985 after a day with my dad and grandpa. We caught some good stringers of yellow perch up there.

[MNfisher]

I can point you to several lakes in MN with BBJP's as we used to call them. (Big Bellied Jumbo Perch)

[TNBronzeback]

Yeah those are the ones!
MNFisher, im sure you can, we would pull some hogs out of St. Clair and lake erie. Both open water and thru the ice.
Im gonna have to do a little more research on them in Melton Hill. Thats a cold lake and i think they have more in there than what gets caught. They fish differently than other panfish. Thats why im dedicating most of my time to year round walleye and sauger fishing down here, thats what i know. might be different bodies of water but a walleye is a walleye anywhere in country in regards to thier diets and habits. it might take me a few years, but im gonna pull some hogs outta these local waters. with the amount of baitfish these lakes/rivers have, there is no reason why there arent some toothy giants laying in wait someplace!
Bfish and Blink, nice pics....i miss them yellow bellied beauties!
and yes, with perch in the waters, fish frys were very common TNTransplant!
Good Stuff!

[Halli]

In 1989 I lived in Richmond , Va. and would catch them trolling crappie minnows in a local reservoir.

I caught a 2 pounder and Va. gave me a certificate for a State Trophy catch.

[white95v6]

I didn't even know we had them until I was at the aquarium in Chattanooga. and they listed them as a invasive species.

[jimj3561]

I'm from Cleveland and there's nothing like a good Lake Erie Perch fish fry!

[Alphahawk]

I catch a few each year fishing below Pickwick Dam and also at Nickajack. But it is very few. Some of the lakes in East TN you can do fair with them but here in Mid TN it is just an occasional one.



Regards

[Tightlines]

Caught this perch last summer on KY Lake near Grand Rivers, KY at the northern entrance of Land Between the Lakes. A bison colored TM got the job done.

[bd-]

Chickamauga has a decent population of yellow perch.

bd