Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Fly Fishing & Other Fish Species Yellow perch spawning in Florida.

Hello.

My question for FWC.

I would like to know at what temperature your Yellow perch are spawning, Here in Québec they are spawning around 48-50F.

First answer.




I am not certain at what temperatures yellow perch spawn in Florida. Not much research has been done on Florida populations of yellow perch. I am passing your questions to Scott Bisping who is the individual leading the most recent yellow perch research projects in Florida. He may have a better idea or at least a more educated guess for you.

In an Alabama study on yellow perch populations in Lake Martin and Yates Lake, yellow perch spawned between mid to late March with water temperatures around 59 to 63 degrees F (15 to 17 degrees Celsius).

Second answer

My educated guess, is that the Yellow Perch Population in Dead Lake spawn at similar temperatures and maybe a little earlier compared to the Alabama study mentioned by Katie. In 2016-2017, We took temperature readings throughout the year and found that average temperatures from January–March ranged from 59 to 64 F (15–18 degrees Celsius). In fact, the lowest temperature recorded was 53.6 F in January.

This winter/spring we attempted to answer this question. We did some larval fish trawling in the West Arm Creek section of the Dead Lakes. We are currently in the process of working through our samples. We haven’t confirmed anything yet, but we believe we captured a few Yellow Perch in our trawls (see attached picture). If true, this would suggest spawning occurred in February.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.
Thanks

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very interesting.

See this

http://myfwc.com/research/freshwater/sport-fishes/yellow-perch/yellow-perch-in-florida/

From a recent PB mag CE article.
The natural spawning of yellow perch in our northern states occurs roughly in April through May at 53-57 F water temperatures and 12 hours of light (photoperiod). Yellow perch are an annual spring spawner with eggs being developed in the fish during the fall and winter cool period. The beginning of preparation for the spawn is triggered by a cold period that can extend for several months. One source provides the minimum cooling period is 160 days at 50 F and the optimum period is 185 days at 43 F. It appears that these light and temperature conditions during the fall/winter are critical for egg maturation and spawning.

…yellow perch juveniles were stocked at three densities (30, 60, and 90 per tank) in 160 gallon tanks in Alabama, in early January and maintained throughout the winter until mid-April. Fish were fed a commercial, slow-sinking pellet at 5% of body weight, and water temperature monitored. Survival was greater than 99%. When water temperature was below 68 F, growth was slow, in the 0.05 g/d range. When water temperature was above 68 F, growth was 10 times as high at roughly .50 g/d.

Wow, What a difference from 48-50F to 63F.

We don't have to be worry about warming up, they will adapt.

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