New State Record Yellow Perch Caught From Mississippi River

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Travis Peterson, 18, of Dubuque, caught a 16-inch, 2 pounds 7 ounce state record yellow perch in Pool 12 on the Mississippi River on March 13.  The perch was one ounce heavier and one inch longer than the previous record.

Peterson, a student at Hempstead High School, was spending his spring break fishing when he caught the record fish from shore using a 1/8 ounce jig and twister.  In addition to the new state record yellow perch, Peterson was also catching walleyes, sauger and northern pike.

“This is an excellent time of year to fish below any of the Mississippi River dams. Many fish species are moving to or from their spawning areas and are concentrated below the dams,” said Mike Steuck, supervisor of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for northeast Iowa.

Steuck verified the fish.