Unrealistic expectations...but yet...I must dream.

[Ed Carlson]

Unrealistic expectations..maybe....but yet...I must dream.

In Europe, and especially the Netherlands, they have some Yellow Perch, same species as ours, that are nothing less that Sumous Maximus Perchasouras beyond our regional comprehension. They can go 6 lbs, and I can't help but dream of them.

I have seen many shots of confirmed perch ranging from 4 to 6 lbs, and they give me the shivers.

We have 3 lb perch here in out region, especially here in the Dakota's. It bugs me that with all this food in some areas, they do not go past that mark, and grow to Sumous Maximus Perchasouras proportions.

Why not here too? Is it genetics...it has to be genetics is my thinking? Food/forage is not the issue, plenty of sumo producing chow in the waters the 2-3 lb perch now inhabit, so genetics realistically must be the deal. Growing season is not a huge factor, very equal seasons in length for the most part...darn close.

Then there is the Zander.."Sumous Maximus Walleyehogadon"..they give me the shivers too. True beasts, residing from the walleye family that grow to 40 lbs or more...GEEZZZZZ...hard not to get mildly obsessed with that idea.

Again, the common school of thought is genetics and sub strains that have a higher top end in growth potential.

And this will surely cause you to loose a bit of sleep in future nights.....sorry but I have to do this...they seldom get ice-fished...YA..plenty of ice to wonder, but...not much of any pressure on these monsters.

Take a wild guess, where my future X-mass and new years plans may find me, sometime in the future.

[deadeye]

I cant help but think that second pic is photoshop but I have heard about zander getting huge like that before. It does seem odd that they don't get much pressure especially when carp is the main target over there. You would think a 40lb walleye would be the ultimate prize. But I suppose its a regional taste thing. They probably get sick to their stomach when they hear about how much carp are despised here.

I think your right Ed about genetics. That has to be the reason why they get so much bigger there. We have plenty of forage to make big fish so that has to be why they don't get as big here.

[topcat3820]

Never mind those critters, Ed... when you coming up HERE ???

BTW, the perch is real, the zander is 'shopped . Isn't that the same fish all those clowns kept sending in the, "New (*insert state/province of your choice here*) Ice Fishing Record Caught", email that got forwarded for a couple years??? Should be time for it to show up in your inbox soon, as a matter of fact .

Now, here's the former WR perch. Not consumed, either ...

[Ed Carlson]

I expected the PhotoShop comment (long arms...sure looks like it to me too), and that is not really my point...they do exist is the point. And well proven to go well over 30 lbs, and a few over 40 documented easily..rumors of 50's or larger too...that picture was handy and it shows they are preaty darn big. I seen Salmo Staff shots in the Netherlands that are solid, and truly boggle the mind...they are HUGE predatory monsters...they act like Muskie..but even more aggressive...imagine that once.

The genetics topic is an ongoing one, and there is research to show it's valid.

These dyno-fish are falling from a different DNA pool Conservation practices over there protect them fairly well. CPR is very prevalent, and sportsman highly frown on any harvest of monarch class fish of any species.

Truely stuff Ice Fishing Dreams are made from, agreed?

[Ed Carlson]

I'll bow to Topcat3820's expertise in these matters, as he knows his Photo Shop well....he is an Expert at it.

LOL!

[topcat3820]

Nah, never needed it yet, Ed . My fish are already big enough... gotta' keep it believeable, eh...

Any of those zander they stocked down your way survive??? They'd be hogs by now, if so !!!

[Ed Carlson]

Some did survive...they now list a confirmed Zander in the new records for ND. A gal from Lisbon ND set the first record for one. DNA confirmed it was a Zander.

It appears the intentional kill off did not work on Spiritwood Lake, and new hatch that could not possibly have been from the first introductions are now seen...so...that is something to watch too. Reproduction hence has occurred, it would appear there will be more to be had in time.

Ya..I have tried to find one there, but so far, no luck hooking up with the elusive Spiritwood Lake Zander. I have my eye on it.

[Gordie]

those things look like carp with strips

ultra light action at its finest there

[dougger222]

It's gotta be the water over there???

[Raider4ever]

It's because all those fish are in France. Therefore, there is no pressure on them because nobody in France can get out of those little invisible cubes they all seem to be trapped in. So, they just gave up.

How do you spot French infantrymen? Sunburned arm pits

How many soldiers does it take to defend Paris France? Don't know, it's never been tried.

[Chef]

I heard a theory once about the largest of a species is always found on the extreme far reaches of their native range. That theory was specific to the size of the Saskatchewan Whitetails, which arguably have the biggest bodies (not racks).

This idea may not apply to the Euro-Perch, but then, maybe it might.

[Raider4ever]

I heard a theory once about the largest of a species is always found on the extreme far reaches of their native range. That theory was specific to the size of the Saskatchewan Whitetails, which arguably have the biggest bodies (not racks).

This idea may not apply to the Euro-Perch, but then, maybe it might.

Kinda the same with Lake Trout. All those monsters coming out of Great Bear, Great Slave, et al. Good theory.