To submit comments on the suggestion to limit daily perch catches in Lake Champlain to 50 fish per day, go to www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/51001.html.
PLATTSBURGH — New York officials are considering a plan to impose daily limits on perch caught in Lake Champlain, but it may not move forward at this time.
Fearing the arrival of alewives in Lake Champlain will have a negative impact on perch populations, the Department of Environmental Conservation has initiated a public-comment period on limiting catches to 50 perch per day.
"Perch numbers are expected to decline with alewives now in the lake," DEC Fisheries biologist William Schoch said. "We know that anglers are concerned about perch-fishing opportunities being distributed fairly."
FAIRNESS
The issue centers on commercial ice fishing, where anglers collect large numbers of perch throughout the week, Schoch noted.
"A lot of anglers who only get to go out on weekends don't feel they're getting a fair share. They feel a 50-perch-per-day limit will help with the perception of fairness."
But for local fisherman Ken Lamoy, the limit would not be fair for anglers.
"Many people depend on perch as a source of food," he said. "Fishing perch is not only for recreation. It's a way we teach our children values. It's an important social event that instills positive influence and builds lasting memories."
Officials do not necessarily feel the perch limit will help to restore the species' numbers, Schoch said, but if the population does decline, the limit is a positive step in balancing angling opportunities.
COUNTING FISH
There is no clear understanding of how healthy the lake's perch population is, but the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife has been attempting to collect data for several years.
"We're not absolutely sure what's going on," said Vermont Fisheries biologist Bernie Pientka. "We're trying to do assessments, but we're seeing a lot of sporadic numbers."
Vermont Fish and Wildlife has several sampling stations in the lake, but they have had inconsistent results from those locations, with only a few fish caught one week and then nets filled with perch a few weeks later.
"It will take years worth of work and effort," Pientka said. "What we expect to end up with are relative values, information on the age and growth of perch."
ALEWIVES EFFECT
It is clear that the population of alewives has increased steadily since the non-native species first entered the lake a few years ago, however.
Alewives typically impact perch populations when they enter new bodies of water by both feeding on young perch and competing for food with adult perch, Schoch said.
Vermont did have a perch limit a few years ago but dropped the policy when it was deemed perch numbers were not in danger.
At this time, Vermont does not favor returning to a perch limit, and New York will most likely not choose to set a limit without Vermont's support.
Still, Schoch said, people can offer comments on the issue through April 11.
E-mail Jeff Meyers at: jmeyers@pressrepublican.com
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