I encourage the release of larger perch so they can prey on, and help control smaller 2" -4" perch. When you harvest most all the the 9" perch they never grow to 10", 11", 12" or 13". I prefer the selective harvest or slot harvest of mid-range sizes of 8" to 11"; return those over 11" or 12".
Contamination from unwanted fish esp "trash" fish upsets the balance in almost all ponds. The invasive species competes and often decreases the numbers of preferred species.
