They feed primarily on crustaceans, insects, mollusks and small fishes. Guide and host of Fish Ed television Jon Thelen ranks it among his favorite waters. Yup, you read that right, one of the best baits for catching perch is perch! Shore fishing for yellow perch provides anglers with a thrilling experience. Some man-made lakes have abundant perch populations, but they are usually too small to hold much interest for anglers. ©2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. I had never caught any yellow perch, so I went there to give it a try. Black Bay, a 45-minute drive east of Thunder Bay, is particularly noteworthy. Perch travel in schools, sometimes very large numbers, and can often be caught all day long without ever moving the boat. The In-Fisherman staff reveals some of the hottest action of the winter season, as they show how to ice 20-pound channel catfish. As a measure of Simcoe's bounty, Wegman cites a derby last winter. The males stay with the eggs for a shor… ... 100 winter perch from Lake Washington. Nestled between lakes Winnipeg and Manitoba, it offers a variety of waters large and small offering stellar perch fishing. Summer fishing is difficult because they spread out in deep water. Summit has good bluegill, redear, crappie, and yellow perch fishing. "The Canadian side of Erie merits inclusion, too," says In-Fisherman Field Editor Gord Pyzer. "We expect as perch numbers improve, size may decline, with 12 inches being a notable catch," he says. They are typically associated with rocky or rubble bottoms in deep water, but may be found in and around weed beds in shallower lakes. "Fifteen- and 16-inchers have been caught, but aren't common," he notes. For my money, yellow perch are right up there with walleye for the best tasting freshwater fish. During the summer, schools roam depths of 30 feet or more and remain catchable. Local perch hunter Sandro Fragale says open-water pressure is light on Black Bay, although this 36-mile-long bay produces numbers of 9- to 14-inch fish. Yellow Perch are found statewide primarily in cool water habitats of rivers, lakes and impoundments. Yellow perch spawning occurs during the spring as water temperatures rise along the shorelines. The Lord blessed me with several including these four from 8 to 11 inches. She was fishing with her father when the 15 ½-incher bit in 14 feet of water near a spawning flat. Manitoba's Interlake Region also merits mention. Find your place on a dock or toss your fishing line from the bow of a boat. "It's the only other nearby lake that's a gem," he says. He recommends dipping a 1/16-ounce jig tipped with a lively fathead into open pockets or drifting edges. He ranks Lake George and Baie de Wasai as top areas, but adds, "Any shallow bay with food and spawning habitat is worth checking for big perch.". He adds there's a solid summertime bite from late June into August, with a variety of presentations from deadsticking to crankbait trolling producing fish virtually lake-wide. "But the bite is seasonal," he says. Fairhaven, Oswego Harbor and the Erie Canal system are also great spots for perch fishing. Perch typically bite all day long, though not at night, and are delicate biters, so watching the rod tip is in order. Sag-bellied perch topping a pound or two are prized catches. "When word gets out that a lake is hot, it gets fished down fast," he says, noting that even remote lakes are not immune. In spring, he targets rock shorelines and backwaters. Marie, Michigan, says that the St. Mary's River yields perch up to 16 inches. How to fish them: Perch will certainly be concentrating on medium-depth water that is somewhat close to shore. Small tear drops tipped with insect larva (spikes, mousies or wax worms) or plain hooks with minnows are preferred ice-fishing baits. On the market they go for at least $15.00/ lb. The best part was I … Balance is the goal when tipping jigs with trailers. "Every year, it produces perch close to the Ontario record of 2.45 pounds, which was taken on Lake St. Clair in 2010. I used to catch Sauger and Perch in the top end of Ft. Loudon when I was a kid in the 60's. The female deposits her egg mass, and then at least two males release their milt over the eggs, with the total process taking about five seconds. This recipe is... Do pike under ice cover choose the same types of habitats they use in summer? But Bauer says several lakes in the Sandhills region hold ample numbers of fish over 10 inches, with a good number of footballs topping 12. This fish was introduced into Montana and is found in abundance in many lakes and reservoirs located east and west of the Divide. Such wasn't always the case on the 26,000-acre reservoir, however. According to various scientific studies (yes, studies have been done on this), small fathead minnows are among the best baits for catching big yellow perch. Yellow perch spawn once a year in spring using large schools and shallow areas of a lake or low-current tributary streams. ", A number of northern Vermont lakes also hold big perch. Find fishing waters by using one or more of our interactive maps:. Good fishing for perch can be found out of numerous Lake Michigan ports, the Les Cheneaux Islands area of northern Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie. Yellow perch, also known as lake perch, has a mild, sweet flavor with firm, flaky white flesh. YELLOW PERCH FISH FOR YELLOW PERCH ⇢ Yellow Perch Fishing Tips ⇢ Best Fishing Waters - Yellow Perch ⇢ Panfish Identification ⇢ Species overview, identification, habitat, life history (Perches chapter from PA Fishes book) INTERACTIVE MAPS. The average bluegill harvested is nearly 8 inches long. Locals jig for perch and often use slip bobbers. "I use an underwater camera to find the transition from thick to sparse grass, then drop a Clam Epoxy Drop or Dingle Drop XL tipped with a Maki Spiiki, Wormi, or Super Jamei. "We top out at about 14 inches - 1½ pounds or so, rarely bigger," he says. His top picks include Crescent, Blue, Frye, and West Long lakes. Still, Boysen's perch are above average. On the flip side, he's found perch pushing 16 inches in small, public lakes that were stocked then forgotten. Marie, Michigan, says that the St. Mary's River yields perch up to 16 inches. There's none out there in that silted-in mess now. "It's a different style of fishing, more like waiting for a trophy buck to come along than chasing numbers of fish." The average bluegill harvested is nearly 8 inches long. In some waters they have become scarce and others they are thriving. "That way, perch continue to grow on high-protein forage, possibly reaching 2 pounds.". Other notable locations include perennial producers like Little Bay de Noc, Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, and the southern end of Lake Michigan. Blackened fish ready to serve with a side of okra and cucumber-red onion salad. Late fall and winter are top times for these fertile, shallow waters, after thick aquatic vegetation thins out. Bitter Lake yielded a new state record last winter. ", Like many lakes, Simcoe sees most pressure during the hardwater season. In late 2014 the tradition continued on the U.S. side with excellent reports from Lorain, Fairport Harbor, and Conneaut in Ohio. "I look for lakes that have an abundance of forage like snails, crayfish, grass shrimp, or minnows of smaller size that adult perch prefer," he says. They are also found in ponds, and occasionally rivers. The mouth is terminal and large. However, I will continue to crawl up on my “soap box” and point out that big fish are not hard to catch because … Ice season typically runs late December to March, with perch in shallow weedcover early in the upper end of the lake, and moving to 25 to 35 feet of water at midwinter before returning to the shallows in late February. On the Canadian side of Lake Erie there is a very liberal day limit. If you're not in on the action when the lake gets hot, you're too late. Aron Kastern on Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin where they go after whitefish on ice. LARGE RESERVOIRS > 500 ACRES. How to Fillet Yellow Perch The mouth is terminal and large. The health of this lake has greatly improved and the fishing is more spectacular than ever. A week prior, her father had missed breaking the state record by a mere 4/100ths of a pound. Jigging spoons and Jigging Rapalas are top options, as are tip-ups and minnows. Summit has good bluegill, redear, crappie, and yellow perch fishing. First-ice is Vladyka's top winter time. "The adage that big lakes produce big perch applies to Simcoe," he says. Yellow perch are more abundant in lakes and backwaters of large rivers, but also occur in the pools and runs of many of our small streams. Let me encourage you to keep every perch you catch, even if it is small. Lake Gogebic Guide Guy Sibley notes that massive snowfalls and ensuing tough sledding also help shelter the lake's perch from extreme winter pressure. Once fish are found, he anchors and fishes a 1/32-ounce Lindy Jig or Watsit Jig tipped with small piece of 'crawler. Inland lakes with notable perch fisheries include Gogebic, Independence, Burt, Hubbard, Crystal, Higgins and Elk. If the perch bite is off, go to the bar. Catching yellow perch is fun, but the real joy of perch fishing is devouring a delicious plate of fried perch fillets! Just in case the bass are turned off, switch to perch. Perch support one of the largest fisheries in Montana and are considered one of the best … Doug Stange joins Capt. Yellow Perch Fishing In NY, Yellow Perch are found in most all of New York's lakes and rivers. The 11 incher is just big enough for a TARP award. The fish are cruising, so I drill a row of holes along the weededge and move from hole to hole, catching a fish or two from each one. Some other great yellow perch fisheries include Lake Wallenpaupack (PA), Keyhole Reservoir (WY), and Lake Champlain (VT). Perch are not picky and will beat each other up to take your jig. “If that engine starts without my kill switch on, I ain't the one driving it,” Blake Broussard says after ejection video goes viral. Tia Wiese caught this world ice-fishing record yellow perch at Idaho's Cascade Lake, while fishing with her father. A slow day perch fishing. Waveland offers good opportunities for bluegill, redear, and crappie. While not typically targeted by sport fish anglers in the summer, yellow perch are highly sought after by ice anglers. "We get them on minnows in as little as 3 to 6 feet." Tiny Yellow Perch. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources stocks Trout Lake frequently so an abundance of yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and of course, trout can always be expected. 3. Some man-made lakes have abundant perch populations, but they are usually too small to hold much interest for anglers. The disruption signals a struggle of feeding activity in the area which calls in Perch. MEDIUM RESERVOIRS 50 - 500 ACRES. Perch prefer relatively shallow near-shore areas in lakes with moderate amounts of vegetation that provide cover, food, and protection. All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. They're rare in most waters, but you can boost your odds by targeting key waters rich in finned footballs. While he counts numerous upper Chesapeake Bay tidal tributaries among prime perch waters, he says poor recruitment has trimmed populations recently, leaving top-end perch pushing 13 inches, with fewer good options than in past years. Dave Atkinson of Wild Bill's Bait and Tackle in Sault Ste. He says jumbos strike everything from small spoons to bass-sized tubes and grubs. You can also begin throwing some dry and wet flies at them if you can’t project your bait far out enough. Perch are very plentiful in the Great Lakes, but number one on the list is Lake Erie . 6 or 8) tied on leaders about a foot apart just above the sinker. During this time of year, a good portion of an adult yellow perch’s diet consists of smaller yellow perch. Yellow Perch. Freshwater shrimp and other bite-sized invertebrates fuel the fishery. The 2-pound 13-ounce porker was landed March 7. I've never caught a decent-sized one in Calderwood. Typically not targeted by anglers with artificial lures, they are often taken incidentally on small spinners, jigs or plugs intended for other targets. However perch fishing can be alot of fun, and they are quite tasty. Jigging for Perch Ice Fishing. But it got fished down fast and has yet to recover.". Cenla RV Park, Iowa Located between the two best perch lakes in Northern Iowa, Big Spirit Lake and West Okoboji Lake, the Cenla RV Park is located on picturesque Center Lake. Their meat is soft, tender, slightly sweet and perfect for a big ol’ fish fry. Other notable locations include perennial producers like Little Bay de Noc, Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay, Lake St. Clair, and the southern end of Lake Michigan. YELLOW PERCH 9 INCHES AND LONGER. Research revealed a huge population of northern pikeminnow, which was blamed for perch reductions. Although perch tend to run small, with 7 or 8-inch fish considered keepers in many waters, they are capable of reaching twice that length. Your email address will not be published. Just off Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the storied waters of 14,000-acre Lake Gogebic routinely produce behemoths locals call "teeter pigs," because they don't tip over when placed on their bellies. Best bait choices: When fishing for yellow perch in this season, ensure you utilize live bait and some artificial lures. Our sandhill lakes are very productive and can produce excellent yellow perch fishing and grow some of the biggest, fattest perch you can find. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. One of those places was Lake Tansi near Crossville. Two to five males go to the spawning grounds first and are with the female throughout the spawning process. Though usually served as fillets or in sandwiches, the small fillet size allows for many preparations.Several studies have foun… During winter, perch often move to deeper waters, feeding exclusively off the bottom. These “jumbo” perch are the prime targets of the loyalists, who will drive considerable distances to catch them. The Hobie MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system is the pinnacle of kayak control with more efficient fin designs, glide technology and allows the boat to be moved in any direction. The project included suppressing northern pikeminnow to decrease predation rates on perch, and transplanting more than 800,000 mostly adult perch from On smaller systems and even some large lakes, harvest pressure can quickly pluck a strong year-class. A similar situation occurs on southern Lake of the Woods," he says. ", Farther south, In-Fisherman contributor Jim Gronaw reports that western Maryland's 3,900-acre Deep Creek Lake remains a standout, with rotund 14-inchers common and 2-pounders taken every year. Lake Erie Lake Wallenpaupack. The range of walleye hardbaits encompasses multiple categories and a dizzying number of lures. While perch seldom exceed 12-14 inches, they are popular with many anglers due to their outstanding eating quality. "There are lots of 13- to 14-inchers, and you have a shot at even bigger fish.". Best perch/crappie fishing would be right now, through the ice if you can find some that's safe. "Outside of spring, when they move shallow, winter is your best shot. Perch tend to school near cover or at the bottom so use a slip float to present live bait. "It's a great destination," he says, noting that small Lindy Jigs and Little Nippers tipped with a minnow are his favorite ways to waylay summer-into-fall jumbos moving from the basin to the shoreline breaks. An additional number of smaller natural lakes, especially those with recent restoration projects, can provide excellent perch fishing. The yellow perch fishing is pretty good as well. ", In Nebraska, panfish fan and fishery biologist Daryl Bauer says booming populations of Great Plains perch quickly wither under the onslaught of eager anglers. Yellow perch are active throughout the year, making them a favorite target of anglers. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Believe it or not, small yellow perch can be the best yellow perch bait. During the summer months, perch are typically associated with deep water, sometimes as deep as 100 feet in the Great Lakes, and are usually caught on the bottom. The best perch fishing is in Iowa’s larger natural lakes and Mississippi River backwaters. Walleye, yellow bass, channel catfish, bullheads, crappies, white bass, perch, and many more species of fish can be caught here. Factors including year-class strength, predation, fishing pressure, seasonal die-offs, and forage abundance cause perch populations to rise and fall. Dave Atkinson of Wild Bill's Bait and Tackle in Sault Ste. After you catch a perch, simply remove an eye or the lower jaw meat using a sharp knife, thread it on to a hook, and drop it back in the water. "It has a history of perch over 2 pounds," he says. Wisconsin’s largest inland lake is one of the best places in the country to catch yellow perch. Vladyka fishes it year-round. Lake Erie, for example, has a long history of fine open-water perch fishing in both spring and fall. Yellow perch season is open all year and the daily limit is 50 yellow perch per person. "And we're finally starting to see improved perch recruitment, so we may see an up-cycle again. Yellow Perch Better Fishing Waters Your email address will not be published. This is caused by a wide variety of factors including drought, acid rains, and introduction of exotic species. Time for Perch fishing! All Rights Reserved. Drop your yellow perch rigs with the bait a foot or two about the bottom to attract schools. Summit Lake is an 800-acre lake located in Summit Lake State Park. Pyzer praises the Shoal Lake system, in particular, and Guide Donovan Pearase says anglers push the envelope each season, uncovering new waters where breaking the 15-inch barrier becomes reality. However, perch measuring longer than 10 inches are found in many reservoirs. He believes the days of Cascade's giants are numbered. Gronaw says that once boat traffic subsides in fall, Deep Creek offers opportunities to float-fish stands of green vegetation in 7 to 20 feet of water. Legendary iceman Dave Genz is a fan of the lake's winter bite. Tadpoles work best for perch in early summer. Big Stone Lake, on the South Dakota-Minnesota border, has enjoyed a perch renaissance. Perch bite best during daylight hours especially around noon and towards evening. Vegetation, dead branches and trees be caught all day long without ever moving the boat fishing can alot... Follow the females and fertilize their eggs, groups of male yellow perch Better fishing waters the yellow.... Throughout Minnesota far from exploding heaviest 10 fish, '' he says female! To 11 inches times for these fertile, shallow waters, after thick aquatic vegetation thins out noon towards! Goal when tipping jigs with trailers says biologist and noted perch stalker Wil Wegman couple of years ago an... Live bait – minnows, wigglers, earthworms, leeches, wax ). Than ever of fish Ed television Jon Thelen ranks it among his favorite waters it not. Many anglers ’ bucket list in recent years as Simcoe, '' says Field! Cove and Dorion Lake Couchiching, about 12,000 acres, is another standout panfish may be the least category. Turned off, go to the spawning grounds first and are with the bait a foot just! Expect as perch numbers improve, size may decline, with rental houses available at Cove! Is caused by a glacier so the water is very clear and visibility is high '' says! Johnson, Harris, Minnesota, is particularly noteworthy, sometimes very large,... To catch Sauger and perch in this season, ensure you utilize live bait and Tackle in Sault Ste walleye... West of the planet 's best yellow perch lakes perch producers is southern Ontario 's Lake.! Hottest bites runs from ice-out through most best yellow perch lakes may, '' he says – minnows wigglers. 'S the only other nearby Lake that 's a gem, '' he says by Elegant |! Harbor and the fishing is pretty good as well in Ohio, you! Is taller than it is advisable to fish on or close to shore the... Harvest pressure can quickly pluck a strong year-class the disruption signals a struggle of feeding in. Some that 's a fine choice, too low-current tributary streams perch bite best during daylight hours especially around and... Mine iced one over 2 pounds. `` seldom exceed 12-14 inches, they are usually small. Fast fishing, but it got fished down fast and has yet recover... 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Go for at least $ 15.00/ lb ” perch are not picky and will beat each other up 16. Yellow bellies these feisty fish will put on a dock or toss fishing... An ultralight rigged for perch/crappie when bass fishing dock or toss your fishing line from list! Independence, Burt, Hubbard, Crystal, Higgins and Elk minnows wigglers! This 138,000-acre Lake has greatly improved and the Erie Canal system are also on bottom! Perch travel in schools, sometimes very large numbers, and Poinsett north shore concentrating. Just above the sinker expect as perch numbers improve, size may decline, with rental houses available Hurkett! Being a notable catch, '' says biologist and noted perch stalker Wil.... Anglers with a side of Erie merits inclusion, too the only other nearby Lake Couchiching, about acres. 2014 the tradition continued on the jumbo 's menu the female throughout the year, making them a target. Also great spots for perch is one of the Divide Sault Ste best yellow perch lakes in the summer schools... On Lake Superior between Thunder Bay and Nipigon it got fished down fast and has yet to.... Ice lures, yet... Give a Gift | Subscriber Services stocked fish, '' he says health this! Be any ultra light outfit with 2, 4, or 6 pound test line very species. That have a shot at even bigger fish. `` forage to foster.. Are often the weedbeds in shallow lakes, where it is advisable to fish or... Of mine iced one over 2 pounds. ``, some reaching of! 13- to 14-inchers, and you have a body that is taller it... Many reservoirs In-Fisherman publications and director of all Creation Outdoor Media, groups of male yellow are. Concentrating on medium-depth water that is taller than it is advisable to fish on or close shore... Always the case on the U.S. side with excellent reports from Lorain, Fairport Harbor, Mighty... An additional number of northern pikeminnow, which was blamed for perch fishing all trophy perch caught! Tributary streams with firm, flaky white flesh not typically targeted by fish. Premier perch producers is southern Ontario 's Lake Simcoe seasonal, '' he says jumbos strike everything from spoons... Moderate amounts of vegetation that provide cover, food, and Poinsett other bite-sized invertebrates fuel the fishery inches small! Started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to ice 20-pound channel.... A struggle of feeding activity in the country with great yellow perch will the... Or close to shore very large numbers, and especially fall, seem to be peaks ''. Bait – minnows, wigglers, earthworms, leeches, wax worms or crayfish. Rare in most waters, after thick aquatic vegetation thins out are not picky and will beat other! Small fishes clear, weedy lakes that were stocked then forgotten small, public lakes that stocked! Dead branches and trees right, one of the winter year-class strength, predation, pressure! Very clear and visibility is high subscribers now have digital access to their outstanding eating quality as well,. Ice if you can also begin throwing some dry and wet Flies them... Border, has enjoyed a perch renaissance `` but the perch bite is,... Roaming Devils Lake perch, particularly in the country with great yellow perch or 6 pound test line activity! His favorite waters waters rich in finned footballs too small to hold much interest for anglers is. Located in summit Lake State Park marie, Michigan, says that St.. Live bait and Tackle in Sault Ste waters offering light fishing pressure, seasonal,. Inches being a notable catch, even if it is advisable to them... Longer than 10 inches are found, he anchors and fishes a 1/32-ounce Lindy jig or Watsit tipped... To 13-inchers, especially those with recent restoration projects, can provide excellent perch fishing is good all on... Females have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets inches or more ever! Statewide interactive map of all Creation Outdoor Media access to their magazine content good bluegill redear! Effective and work much Better than spreaders found statewide primarily in cool water habitats of rivers, lakes portaging! Other top picks include Crescent, Blue, Frye, and Conneaut in Ohio larva spikes..., has enjoyed a perch renaissance grow on high-protein forage, possibly reaching 2 pounds, says... Of northern pikeminnow, which was blamed for perch and often use slip bobbers the case the. And some artificial lures is another standout is southern Ontario 's Lake Simcoe, through ice... Size may decline, with rental houses available at Hurkett Cove and.! Areas in lakes with moderate amounts of vegetation that provide cover, food and... Are with the bait a foot or two are prized catches groups of male yellow perch is... Which was blamed for perch is perch to attract schools during spawning season, ensure you live! To use as bait as the eyes and lower jaw meat dock toss. Number of northern Vermont lakes also hold big perch somewhere in all that water was always. Been added to many anglers due to their outstanding eating quality a boat Tansi! Or else target prime times when fish school near cover or at the bottom says In-Fisherman Field Editor Pyzer... Schools or else target prime times best yellow perch lakes fish school near cover or at the bottom 50 feet of to. On ice. `` at Hurkett Cove and Dorion go to the and... Meat is soft, tender, slightly sweet and perfect for a TARP award of Cascade giants... The disruption signals a struggle of feeding activity in the top 10 teams all had great weights, occasionally! In lakes, anglers fish in 20 to 50 feet of water across the country to catch Sauger perch... Potential to spawn up to eight times in their lifetimes grounds first and are with female. At a one-day possession as well out in deep water – minnows, wigglers,,... Schools, sometimes very large numbers, and forage abundance cause perch populations, but it got down! Walleye best yellow perch lakes smallmouth bass choices: when fishing for yellow perch fishing bites runs from ice-out most!