The 2"-4" and 4"-6" YP from Imlay Fish Farm were likely and hopefully all hatched in 2007. The 2"-4" will be mostly the males and the 4-6" will be mostly the females. However, If the 5"-6" YP were from the 2006 year class then they are IMO somewhat stunted and will spawn for you this April 2008.
I have seen fast growing one yr old perch occasionaly spawn. But this means those fish had to begin development of eggs at just 4 months old in August. Mature female YP have noticable egg development in August of each year. One yr old males will usually be fertile while females usually do not spawn until their 2nd birthday. Since the fish were from further north they will be latter in spawning than those near the OH line. One way to tell if you will get a spawn is to put out a few smaller brushy tree limbs along the shoreline in shallow water. In 1-3 weeks look for white-cream strands 12"-24" long about 1" dia hanging on the twigs, those would be perch eggs from YP 6" long. Another way is to in 10-24 days wks catch a couple of those larger 6" perch. If they are plump they are likely females full of eggs. Extreme way to tell is sacrifice one of the 6" females (fresh or one that died) cut it open and look for an obvious egg sac.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 04/01/08 08:52 PM.
