Why do anglers often release Yellow Perch specimens around six inches in size?

the time spent cleaning might outweigh the reward

Yellow perch, while delicious, are often smaller than larger species like Walleye or bass, meaning a satisfying meal usually necessitates catching a significant quantity. For the smaller specimens, often cited as around six inches, the time and effort required for cleaning and processing the minimal meat yield often negate the culinary benefit. Consequently, anglers frequently practice selective harvesting, releasing these smaller fish and only keeping those deemed large enough to justify the necessary time spent filleting them.