Fillet Weight Comparison For Bluegill, Black Crappie, And Yellow Perch

Authors

Mikenna A. Pattrin

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Panfish, including bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus, and yellow perch Perca flavescens are three sought-after species. Anglers often perceive a change in regulations as an attempt at limiting the amount of harvest. However, the goal of many regulation proposals is to increase the size structure of panfish, allowing anglers to achieve their ideal harvest with less fish. The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between panfish fillet weight and total length to estimate how many fillets would be needed to reach a harvest weight of 0.5 lbs. The secondary objective was to compare this relationship between ten West Central Minnesota lakes to previously published data from seven Wisconsin lakes. Minnesota fillet weights and yields were calculated from 360 bluegill, 167 crappie, and 108 yellow perch. Mean fillet yield was 36.5%, 42.3%, and 44.5% for bluegill, black crappie, and yellow perch, respectively. On average the fillet yield from Minnesota lakes was 10.72% greater than fillet yields from the previous research done in Wisconsin. In conclusion, fillet weight can be useful metrics for managers to generate harvest limits that allow anglers to reach the 0.5 lbs fillet goal.

Publication Date

2024

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program

Recommended Citation

Pattrin, Mikenna A., "Fillet Weight Comparison For Bluegill, Black Crappie, And Yellow Perch" (2024). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 62.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/62