Your thoughts on the recent Perch season

[PZeiler]

This was my 50th year of fishing Lake Erie. The perch fishing was good for us but the size of the fish was the best I have ever seen. To perch fish in the far west end always meant sometimes handling 5 perch to keep 1 due to size. I keep 7 1/2" or better. I dock at Meinke West. What has also significantly changed over the years is the way the perch bite. 20 years ago you just had to keep your bait 6" from the bottom and the perch would hit hard. Now you have to leave it lay on the bottom and feel the bite as you slowly lift your bait. Some people still cannot get the hang of catching perch this way.

[LEfriend]

This was my 50th year of fishing Lake Erie. The perch fishing was good for us but the size of the fish was the best I have ever seen. To perch fish in the far west end always meant sometimes handling 5 perch to keep 1 due to size. I keep 7 1/2" or better. I dock at Meinke West. What has also significantly changed over the years is the way the perch bite. 20 years ago you just had to keep your bait 6" from the bottom and the perch would hit hard. Now you have to leave it lay on the bottom and feel the bite as you slowly lift your bait. Some people still cannot get the hang of catching perch this way.

Agree with the bite statement. I too remember perch hitting the bait. Not much of that this year.

Now, why has it changed?