Lake Michigan perch populations remain low

Yellow perch (Credit: USDA, via Wikimedia commons)

Fewer fishermen are hitting the shores of Lake Michigan in recent months, according to the Journal Sentinel. The fishing decline follows a drop in perch populations.

Perch were one of the most numerous fish in Lake Michigan several decades ago. Starting around 1990, the fish started to drop in number when survival rates of the youngest fish suffered.

Experts say the declines began when zebra and quagga mussels arrived. The invasive mussels eat much of the food that zooplankton need. Perch, which eat zooplankton to survive, have less food to eat as a result.

Image: Yellow perch (Credit: USDA, via Wikimedia commons)