Yellow Perch

Name:

Yellow Perch

Characteristics:

Yellow perch are a greenish-yellow color down the back, with darker colored bands on their sides. The fins of this cool water species are typically orange. The first dorsal fin is spiny, and there is a very sharp edge on the gill covering. Yellow perch are small fish, averaging around seven to nine inches, but their size varies from lake to lake. "Big" perch are 12 inches long. Some lakes are known as producers of "jumbo" perch that are consistently large.

Fish Habits:

Spawning occurs in late April or early May. Perch prefer shallow lake areas close to reeds, cattails or fallen trees. Eggs are released during the night or early morning, and each female's eggs are fertilized by many males. Eggs are deposited in long bands of jelly-like material containing numerous eggs. These bands adhere to submerged vegetation or other underwater material, and remain there until the eggs hatch.

After hatching the young fish travel together in schools. They grow slowly in cold water. They are active all winter.

They feed on zooplankton and aquatic insects. As they get larger they may feed on other fish. They usually feed during the day. Because they are actively feeding all winter, they are great to fish for through the ice.

Fishing Tactics:

Many angling methods can be used to catch perch. Natural bait (worms, maggots, or eggs) often works well. Keep your hook on or near the bottom, suspended under a float. Cut bait is also used extensively. Jigging is also effective.

When ice fishing, natural bait on a bare hook has proven effective. Perch tend to be in fairly deep water (up to 40 feet) in the winter. Although perch are not known for their fighting ability, their large population and readiness to bite make them especially popular with most anglers.

Tips:

The key to catching yellow perch is similar to being successful with real estate sales—location, location, location. You must find where the fish are holding and feeding at each time of the year to be successful.

Some anglers use fish finders (sonar) to locate yellow perch. However, they can be difficult to see on a fish finder when they are lying on or close to the bottom. A popular technique to locating them is drifting or slow trolling until you catch one, then anchor immediately and fish straight down.

Yellow perch also like to associate close to structure. Most upground reservoirs do not have much vegetation, but if you find some rooted vegetation, try fishing along the edge of the vegetation. If you find submerged trees near shore, they may be worth trying as well.

Choosing a rod that can provide good feel is important! Yellow perch bites can be expected to be light, so tackle should be light.

Remember, if you are not catching these fish, be flexible and try changing locations, using other baits, or choosing a different time of day to fish. You may find that yellow perch have developed a pattern of feeding at a particular time in a particular reservoir.

Tackle:

Use a light spinning rod and reel with 6-8 pound test during most of the year and ice fishing rods and gear during winter.

Distribution:

They are found almost exclusively in lakes and reservoirs. They are rarely found in flowing water.