Why might yellow perch feeding become less active midday in very clear lakes?
Answer
They are more visible to predators like northern pike or walleye
Water clarity significantly influences the feeding behavior of yellow perch due to predator visibility. In environments characterized by very clear water, the fish become more exposed to potential predators such as larger northern pike or walleye when the sunlight is bright during midday. To mitigate this risk, perch may become more reluctant to feed aggressively in open, brightly lit water. Consequently, they often shift their peak feeding activity to the lower light conditions found at dawn and dusk, targeting prey moving along shallower shelves or within the thermocline during those safer times.
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