

Saginaw Bay’s 2020 estimate of yellow perch abundance was 76,596 yellow perch in their recreational fishery and about 44,000 in their commercial. “Saginaw Bay, arguably, has historically been the single biggest source of yellow perch in Lake Huron,” said Fielder.

Fielder is one of many regional DNR specialists who monitors the Great Lakes perch population. The yellow perch is a staple of Great Lakes commercial and recreational fishing, and Friday fish fries. On first attempt to reach Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Research Biologist David Fielder, he wasn’t monitoring fish populations or water quality.
