RE: tape worms and mites in fish
Up north we have these worms too. I have seen them in perch, but the difference is in the winter time the meat clears up of these parasites. That's why most people will ice fish for perch in the winter time and not bother with them in the summer. That and perch are a lot easier to catch through the ice. Parasites show up in fish when fish spend too much time in warm water. Fish with parasite are usually found up along shore lines or in shallow water. It may be possible that with the mild winter, it may not have gotten cold enough down there this year to get ride of the parasites.