DNR To Begin
Yellow Perch Sport Fishing Survey
ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources
(DNR) Fisheries Service will be conducting a sport fishing survey in
three selected watersheds beginning in mid-February and continuing
through late March. The gathered information from recreational anglers
specifically will specifically target yellow perch during their late
winter/early spring spawning runs.
“Yellow perch provide Marylanders one of the first opportunities of the
year to go fishing,” said Acting Director of the Fisheries Service
Harley Speir. “The angler satisfaction information will help us define
stakeholder supported management objectives for this fishery, and to
develop management strategies to sustain this fishery for future
generations.”
Interviewed anglers will be asked a series of questions describing the
effort, catch and residence of their yellow perch fishing activity for
the day. Anglers will also have to opportunity to voice their opinions
and level of satisfaction with the current perch fishery. Interviews
will be conducted in the Bush River, the Chester River, Mattawoman Creek
and Wicomico River.
In addition to the interview survey, a yellow perch creel site has been
established online. This survey, modeled after DNR’s striped bass and
summer flounder online surveys is designed to provide yellow perch
angler input throughout the entire Bay. Participating anglers will be
asked basic questions regarding the day’s locations fished, effort and
catch.
The information collected from both surveys will be utilized by the
Department regarding future yellow perch management and regulatory
decisions as well as the upcoming Yellow Perch Fisheries Management
Plan. For more yellow perch information, visit
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/
recreational/articles/ypmgmnt.html
