Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Finally removed otolith bones from "unofficial" record yellow perch

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have been shown where the otolith bones are and how to remove them from a fish. Not difficult at all. This was in thanks to a retired biology teacher Doug Seibert of Gladwin, Michigan that learned the specifics from Dr. Dave Willis. Dr. Willis had graciously volunteered to age the "unofficial" record perch I got last February using these bones.

I just finally mounted this fish as I'm like the full-time electrician or plumber where those things have to wait in his own home. (My own fish don't pay the bills LOL)

Can't wait to put it on an artificial icefishing scene complete with ice fishing rod, snow, ice, hole etc. in a glass case. I'll definitely post a pic when I get it done.

I believe the yellow perch should be only 3 to 5 years old but we will see. If you remember it was 2.81 lbs.and 16 1/4 inches.

Bill Cody,

Did you say you have an article where the layman can actually "crack" these bones open and with only a microscope be able to age the fish? If so I may be able to do that in the future. If that is the case I think an article in Pond Boss may be in order at some point.

CB1 :

Fisheries Techniques 2nd ed. which Dave W. wrote (part) and co-edited and which Bill C. has a copy of has such info on otolith removal and aging. I bet either will fax you a copy. If they won't let me know and I will.

If Bob Lusk is interested, we can sure do an article for Pond Boss. I've got LOTS and LOTS of pictures (digital images). Bob??

Cecil -- very often, we can age younger fish without cracking otoliths (i.e., whole). It varies a lot by species, and at least somewhat by geographic location. Nothing is ever easy in this profession, I've discovered. Darn otoliths are just like scales, only not as bad. There is still a learning curve, and I never say anything with certainty! Some fish are easy, but some are still difficult, and may be better aged with a different structure.

It would be great to do an article on fish aging , like a mini summary of the chapter in the Fisheries Tech. 2 book and at least do scales , spines and otoliths. I would even pay extra for that. You would be surprised how many PBers have no idea that this can be done.

I like that even better, Eric. Maybe a little more generic article on fish aging structures. As I said, I've got a lot of good images.

Bob :

What about the above idea by Dave and CB1 ?

Let's do a story. I'm writing and editing March/April right now, so if you can conjure up an article in the next few minutes, or hours, or by Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday, I can get it in the next issue. Since you probably aren't at my beck and call, we can do it in May/June.
I think the article should be a 'how to' article to back up a 'why to' premise.
Let's go.
Cancel dinner plans and write the story.

I found an on line otolith manual at http://cbl.umces.edu/~secor/otolith-manual.html

Frank

Frank -- Dr. Dave Secor is "The Man" when it comes to otoliths. I'm just a neophyte in comparison.

This fall I visited BGSU to watch and learn as graduate students were working with otoliths from larval and fingerling fish. Since then, I have removed my first few otoliths from a couple of yellow perch. I have not got around to trying to age them yet. I was going to try and get a few more otholiths from older and larger perch. Then sometime late winter, I was going to take my otoliths to an otolith reading specialist with the ODNR (I have an invitation) and learn their preperation and aging technique. I know with their walleye otoliths they crack them in half, do a light polish and read the cross section. I am still a neophyte at this otolith thing.