The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is cracking down on perch over-baggers.

On Sunday, Michael Ratter, 65, of Calumet City, Ill., was cited after a conservation officer found him in possession of 50 yellow perch while fishing in Lake Michigan near the ArcelorMittal breakwall in East Chicago, DNR said.

The daily limit for yellow perch in Lake Michigan is 15, putting Ratter 35 over the limit.

Last week, DNR also said, Arturas Barkauskas 40, Arturas Ragauskas 39, and Arnoldas Pelesinas 40, all of Illinois, were similarly cited after they were found with 58 perch in their boat, 13 fish over the limit.

“The replacement cost of each fish illegally taken from Lake Michigan waters could possibly exceed $1,200,” DNR noted.

“With the mild days of late and the flat waters, more than usual numbers of fishermen have been finding their way onto Lake Michigan,” DNR said. “Right now the perch fishing is pretty good, but you need to remember to count the number of fish you are keeping. Even though deer season and waterfowl seasons are in full swing, conservation officers are keeping an eye on the fishermen too.”

Posted 12/17/2012