Yellow Perch

Perch are a great fish for young and old. They can be fished at any time of the year and in many depths of water. Perch are a great starter fish for kids or catching the big ones can be a great challenge to even the seasoned angler. Some of the biggest and most impressive catches are caught in the winter time.

Most perch are caught 2 or 3 inches off the bottom of the lake. Live bait is usually the bait of choice for most anglers with maggots being the most popular. You can tip a lead head jig with bait or use a plain number 4 to 6 hook with a split shot about six inches above the hook.

Perch can be found in many of the same places that you would find walleye. In the spring time you can look for them in the shallow bays and on shallow flats where the sun is warming up the water. For the rest of the year you can fish weedy or rocky humps. My favorite place in the summer time is in deep water with high weeds. I fish just above the weeds. You should try this; I think you will be surprised at what comes out of the weeds to feed on your hook.

You don’t want to use heavy tackle when fishing for perch. Light tackle is preferred because perch are not heavy fighters. You shouldn’t use more then 4 pound test. The lighter tackle makes casting the smaller hooks easier.

For many years perch fishing has been a great way to kill a bad day of fishing. Perch fishing has helped in the bonding of many fathers and their kids. It has even helped to get a lot of women involved in the great sport of fishing. So remember that no matter what a bad day of fishing is better than a good day at work.

Dale Mazurek

Dale is an expert self taught fisherman for the last 35 years. He would like to share his stories and tips with the world. You can check out his blog at http://fishingtutor.blogspot.com/ he is also an avid writer in the process of getting his first novel published. Check out his other blogs at http://stcajo-readshortstories.blogspot.com/ and http://relationshiptidbits.blogspot.com/