Warning...not big bluegills...but giant perch!

[David Merical]

As this isn't about bluegills or sunfish...but about another of those colorful "panfish", I apologize ahead of time if this isn't entirely appropriate. Don't read further if you'll be offended.

These are of the European Yellow Perch which is a closely related but separate species (depending on the source) to the yellow perch found in North America. But these things can grow large. One record I saw said the fish was 23.6"!! I don't recall the weight, but apparently up to and possibly over 10 lbs!

I personally would be interested in having this introduced into the US...I mean, nobody asked us if we wanted Carp introduced! Or... I'd be interested to see what a hybrid between the 2 species would produce.

Who wouldn't want to catch a few of these?? (these were "captured" from a slideshow on YouTube, and the creators are apparently from a European country)

As far as fish porn goes, these really impressed me, and I felt the need to share.

The heads on some of these things are so big, they look like bass!!

[Douglas Buck]

I'm skeptical about anything being introduced to a new environment, whether it be plant or animal. What effect will it have on the food chain? People should take advantage of what is already available, walleye for instance.

[David Merical]

That's a jumbo perch, Nate!! I do believe that's "wall-worthy"!

[Justin Gloede]

we've got access to a lake thats land locked thats got some perch 12+ in it up here.. its impressive saw em on camera last winter.

[IowaNate]

Gotta post this photo of a 14.5" monster that was cuaght when fishing for bluegill on the Mississippi River in Guttenberg , Iowa.

[Frosch]

I'm drooling thinking of the filets off those perch. Bruce I bet your Dad knows where that photo is hidden.;)

[Bruce Condello]

I'd also look up "Donaldson Strain Steelhead Rainbow Trout". Fascinating story about Lauren Donaldson from Washington University and how he used genetic selection to create a super fast growing strain. They're still in use today. There's actually a photo of Donaldson Steelhead somewhere hidden on this site! ;)

[Zig]

Dave - search for "triploid". I believe this (trout)strain may be what you are referring to.
Add heat - stop reproduction - make big..............very big.

[David Merical]

Thanks Bruce! Maybe a little creative genetic selection on someone's part could create a North American strain with this desired size characteristic?

Bruce, you're probably familiar with this...some university lab developed a genetic strain of rainbow trout (I think), that was altered to improve the food intake vs. weight gain ratio. The fish they produced were really fat and fast-growing. I read this and saw the pictures many years ago, and can't readily find the source.

I did just find something about Koi that relates to what you've said about bluegills. Koi growth rates slow considerable once the fish reaches maturity. Therefore, delaying maturation should result in a larger fish at a given age. In a natural system, is there any way to delay fish (bluegill) maturation, or perhaps simply selectively breed fish that are slow to mature AND have high growth rates? I assume this is exactly what you are doing now, right?

[Bruce Condello]

Here's an excellent link with some discussion.

Click HERE

[Bruce Condello]

...or walleye! Those things are amazing. I know there have been efforts to bring them to the U.S. I'll try to find a little information on Pond Boss forums, because I know it's been discussed there.