We are still not out of the ballpark; they have to make it through this winter. They have to hit 50 millimeters [about 2 inches] to be able to survive over winter. A lot of the ones we looked at in Michigan were in the 30- to 40-millimeter range. They usually quit growing about Sept. 15.

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My guess is they are looking for food, and there are not many alewives around. The fact they are eating yellow perch does surprise me.

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