Growth and Year-class Success of Yellow Perch Following Impoundment

Population dynamics of yellow perch, Perca fiavescens Mitchill, were examined during the initial 7 years of impoundment of West Point Lake (1975-1981). Preimpoundment lengths of yellow perch at successive ages for the 1972 to 1974 year classes were greater than lengths at successive ages for the 1976 to 1981 year classes. The 1975 year class was intermediate to those before and after impoundment. Yellow perch reached maturity in 2 years, and the number of young-of-theyear (YOY) was highly correlated (r = 0.99; P < 0.05) to the number of YOY 2 years earlier. There was no correlation of YOY numbers (r = 0.04; P > 0.05) and weak correlation of standing stock (r = 0.40; P < 0.05) to days of spring and summer flooding.