Zebra mussels are a major nuisance, but they certainly clear up the water. I remember fishing in the St Lawrence years ago and there was algae so green you couldn’t see below a foot. The last time I was there about 6 years ago you could read a newspaper 20 feet below. The Ontario end was clearer than I had ever seen it in the past 40 years. I was disappointed the last time there as the perch appeared to be smaller than usual. I hear the lake now has European river rasps and flounders?? Different fish can also mean different excitement. I’m sure the pike and muskies don’t mind.
I don’t think Yellow Perch will ever be coming back to the levels we remeember as kids.
We need an advocate! Maybe we could get one of those nekkid PETA chicks to paint herself up as a Yellow Perch and live in an aquarium for a week or so in Times Square? LOL!