01-02-2010, 12:54 AM
[cool][#0000ff]For the perch to have a good year class it takes a good spring spawn. Three years ago, before Deer Creek was drawn down for dam work, the spring levels of the lake were way up into the brush at the eastern end of the lake and there was a good perch spawn. The last two years the lake levels have been down in the spring and the spawn has not been as good. But, now the class of '07 is healthy, large and plentiful. There are still plenty of smaller perch but it has been quite a few years since there have been so many porky perch in the mix.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Each year I manage to catch a few perch on lures being fished for smallmouth or trout. I have not really targeted the perch because there have not been than many. This past summer I was catching them everywhere, and at all depths from top to bottom in up to 50 feet of water. They took jigs around the shoreline being fished for smallies and flies being fished at mid depth behind a bubble for trout. That is usually an indicator of a larger population. Then, in the fall, they moved in around the island and other shoreline areas and anglers began catching enough of them to be interesting.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With that many larger perch (spawners) and a good high water spring we should have a great spawn and Deer Creek could become a good perch fishery again. It will be interesting to see what effect the new limits (50 perch statewide) might have on Deer Creek. Personally, I don't think it will make much difference. The average angler has not been able to score a 10 fish limit so 50 is unrealistic for them.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Each year I manage to catch a few perch on lures being fished for smallmouth or trout. I have not really targeted the perch because there have not been than many. This past summer I was catching them everywhere, and at all depths from top to bottom in up to 50 feet of water. They took jigs around the shoreline being fished for smallies and flies being fished at mid depth behind a bubble for trout. That is usually an indicator of a larger population. Then, in the fall, they moved in around the island and other shoreline areas and anglers began catching enough of them to be interesting.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]With that many larger perch (spawners) and a good high water spring we should have a great spawn and Deer Creek could become a good perch fishery again. It will be interesting to see what effect the new limits (50 perch statewide) might have on Deer Creek. Personally, I don't think it will make much difference. The average angler has not been able to score a 10 fish limit so 50 is unrealistic for them.[/#0000ff]
[signature]