White Perch Challenge set for Saturday on Chautauqua Lake

ASHVILLE -- For decades, Chautauqua Lake has been recognized as one of New York’s premier walleye fisheries. Today, however, many anglers are increasingly concerned about another species that has quietly become one of the lake’s most abundant fish -- the white perch.

White perch are not native to Chautauqua Lake. Believed to have been introduced illegally during the early 1980s, they adapted quickly and expanded throughout the lake. Unlike yellow perch, white perch mature rapidly, produce large numbers of eggs and feed aggressively on everything from zooplankton and insects to minnows, fish eggs and newly hatched fish. Their remarkable ability to reproduce and thrive has made them one of the lake’s dominant species. Their apparent dominance makes them a challenge for walleye survival, perhaps other species, too.

Many anglers believe exploding white perch numbers have contributed to declining walleye recruitment. White perch readily consume walleye eggs and fry during the spring spawning season while competing with young walleyes for the microscopic food organisms they need to survive. Adult white perch also prey upon many of the same forage fish that growing walleyes depend upon.

Fisheries biologists caution that white perch are only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Weather during spawning, habitat quality, aquatic vegetation, forage availability and other environmental factors all influence annual walleye success. The consensus is that no single factor is responsible for the decline.

Management of the lake can take many forms. Completely removing white perch from a large lake is considered unrealistic. Instead, fisheries managers continue stocking walleyes while evaluating habitat improvements and other management strategies designed to improve survival of naturally produced fish.

Local conservation organizations like the Chautauqua Lake Association and many others continue supporting habitat stewardship, fisheries research and public education while encouraging anglers to harvest white perch whenever possible.

Along with that logic, a new conservation-minded fishing tournament has emerged. One of the newest grassroots efforts comes from Chautauqua Reel Bait and Tackle located at Ashville Bay Marina where Captain Mike Sperry has organized what is believed to be Western New York’s first "White Perch Challenge."

Scheduled for Saturday, the tournament allows anglers to fish anywhere on Chautauqua Lake, from shore or boat, from 6 a.m. until noon, with a 1 p.m. weigh-in at Chautauqua Reel Outdoors. Entry is $20, while youngsters 12 and under fish free. Competitors may weigh up to 25 white perch, with no minimum size requirement, and organizers say a second event may be held later this summer if participation is strong.

Sperry emphasizes that the tournament isn’t expected to eliminate white perch. Rather, it encourages anglers to harvest an abundant invasive species, raises awareness of the lake’s changing fishery and promotes discussion about long-term management. As an added bonus, white perch are excellent table fare, making the event both conservation-minded and family friendly.

While no single solution will restore Chautauqua Lake’s famed walleye fishery overnight, continued stocking, habitat improvements, scientific management and community involvement -- including events like the White Perch Challenge -- may all play an important role in ensuring the lake remains one of New York’s outstanding fishing destinations for walleye, musky, bass and more, for generations to come.

Gotta love the outdoors.

CALENDAR

July 25: Chautauqua Lake White Perch Challenge (fishing tournament), Chautauqua Reel Bait & Tackle at Asheville Bay Marina, 25 fish basket, 6 a.m. to noon, $20 entry fee, kids under 12 free, see Mike Sperry, call 716-763-2947, register at the bait shop.

July 25: Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters Open Tournament, Prendergast Boat Launch, $100/boat, 5-fish limit, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., two-man team or solo. Register at launch site.

July 25: Introduction to Upland Hunting, Chautauqua County Bird Dog Association at the Randolph Rod/Gun Club, 4424 Van Slyke Road, Randolph; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; lunches and up to 125 rounds of ammo provided. Limited to 20 participants: must be at least 21 years of age; Contact Paul Steward at 716-397-2855. Will also include a mentored pheasant hunt in October.

July 26: Ellington Rod and Gun, "Don't Know Partner Trap League," 1045 Hagerdon Hill Road, Ellington; Info: 716-287-3987.