7-21-13 Kelly's Perch

[Pathfinder]

Only had a half day to get on the water Monday.
Wife and I started at 1:00 about 1 mile south of the SW corner of Kelly's. 24 fow.
Slow bites. Took an hour to boat 10 fish, then the wind seemed to lighten up and the bite stopped completely.
Moved towards the monument watching the sonar. Ended up in 27 fow (about 2/3rds the way to monument) before getting any good marks.
Mixed bag of yellow, white perch, and white bass, but ended up with 35 yellow perch and about 15 nice white perch in the cooler by 5:00.

Slow bites, but great weather and a good relaxing day on the water.
I keep the medium size white perch. They are good eating. Not the same flavor as yellows, but good nonetheless.
If you spend any time in the intercoastal waters of Virginia or Carolina's, you will find them referred to as "virginia perch" and just as sought after as the yellows are here.
Just ask the folks at The Port Clinton Fish Co. about 'em. They will tell you they ship as many as they can get to the SE coast !

tight lines,

[Drifter]

First I have heard of anyone eating the white perch.

I have eaten white bass but don't miux ewell on the table with yellow perch. I am going to smoke some bigger ones.

I will try some instead of just feeding them to the gulls.

Maybe fish chowder or stew? That is what they do with the second class fish in FL in the winter.

Anyone else eat white perch?

[Pathfinder]

Here's a link to a New Jersey Fish & Wildlife article about the white perch:

http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artwhtperch.htm

Try 'em !

[skipper9]

My son and my wife like them better than walleye and yellow perch when they not been frozen. When you freeze them they get mushy like white bass. Rinse the filet really good to get the blood out and they are delicious. We have a white perch fish fry every sunday night I just keep enough for a couple dinners for the week.. I dont freeze them... try them fresh you will love them...

[ReelTime]

Sounds like a good fish fry while at the lake!

[Pathfinder]

And no limit !