Where Can You Catch Yellow Perch Fish?

To some fishermen, especially those who target walleyes, yellow perch can be a nuisance. Smaller than walleyes, many anglers consider them little more than bait-stealing fish. Still, many fishermen target yellow perch on purpose, primarily because the fish swim in large schools and can be caught throughout the year. Additionally, perch larger than about 8 inches are prime table fare.

  1. Range

    • Yellow perch are one of the most widely available species of freshwater game fish. They are native to, or have been introduced into, waters of nearly every state in the United States. They also can be found in water bodies throughout most of Canada. Yellow perch can survive in lakes, ponds, reservoirs and slow-moving rivers, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

    Bottom

    • Perch are bottom-oriented fish, so anglers often are wasting their time by trying to target them anywhere except right on the bottom. While anglers may catch a perch in other parts of the water column from time to time, they maximize their chances of catching multiple fish from the same spot by keeping their bait or lure close to or on the bottom.

    Drop-Offs

    • Schools of perch also congregate around drop-offs, which are areas where the bottom slopes from shallow to deep. Hard-bottomed drop-offs are best, and perch are attracted to parts of the drop-off where there is something different, such as where it creates a point or inside turn, or where vegetation grows. Perch also congregate where two bottom types – rock and sand, for example – meet on a drop-off.

    Weed Edges

    • Deep weed edges congregate schools of perch. Depending on the water clarity, deep weed edges may occur in water that is 20 feet or deeper. Focus on weed edges that occur on hard bottoms. Also, spots where the weed edge makes an inside turn or a point are especially productive. When the perch are feeding actively, they may be found a short distance away from the deep weed edge. Cast small jigs and minnows and let them sink to the bottom, then reel them slowly just above the bottom. When you catch one perch, mark the spot and continue fishing there. If there is a school, you likely will be able to catch multiple fish.