A Comparison of Passive Gears for Selective Yellow Perch Harvest

Abstract

The success of trap-and-transfer operations is influenced by the ability to quickly collect target fish and transport them to a recipient body of water. We compared catch rates of two gear types (modified fyke nets and cloverleaf traps with and without light attractants) to determine the most effective capture method for harvesting small yellow perch Perca flavescens (age < 2) and reducing stress to transferred fish. Fyke nets captured more small yellow perch than cloverleaf traps; however, cloverleaf traps reduced the bycatch of black bullheads Ameiurus melas and large yellow perch (age > 2) and required less effort to set and retrieve. Unlike fyke nets, cloverleaf traps can also be placed in offshore locations, thereby increasing the number of fishable areas. Light attractants (incandescent lights and cyalume glowsticks) increased the catch rates of yellow perch in cloverleaf traps set at night. Incandescent lights increased catch rates in fyke nets, but cyalume glowsticks were not effective. Cloverleaf traps and light attractants help to improve the success of yellow perch collection methods by increasing daily catch, reducing the effort associated with sorting out bycatch, and reducing stress to transferred fish.