Yellow Perch

Effective lures include 1/32 to 1/16 ounce jig heads tipped with small plastics like curly-tail grubs, 1-inch tubes, or tiny tickler plastics in chartreuse, yellow, white, black, or pink colors. Small spoons, spinners (like Mepps Aglia #1), and crankbaits such as the Rebel Hellgrammite also produce well.

Spring, summer, and fall months when water temperatures are between 63-77°F. During spring, fish shallow rocky shorelines and vegetated areas. Summer fishing requires targeting slightly deeper waters or areas with cooler temperatures and structure. Fall sees increased activity as perch feed aggressively before winter.

Vertical jigging, casting small lures, or live bait rigs. A tandem rig with two small jigs can double your chances and help determine color preferences. Focus on fishing 6 inches to 2 feet off the bottom, as perch are bottom-oriented feeders.

Yellow perch are opportunistic feeders, consuming zooplankton as juveniles and transitioning to aquatic insects, small fish, and invertebrates as adults. Their diet varies by size and age, with larger adults feeding on crayfish, freshwater shrimp, and small minnows.

They inhabit areas with submerged timber, rocky structures, and drop-offs in clear to slightly turbid water. They are schooling fish that prefer vegetated areas.