Description

Yellow perch are usually found in lakes, where they are prime forage for pike, walleyes, whitefish, bass, burbot, and other predators. Perch in rivers may be migratory, so look for them in small to medium-sized rivers connected to larger bodies of water. Small warmwater rivers can be surprisingly productive perch producers, so don't be afraid to experiment. Perch can be caught by fishing on the bottom on nightcrawlers, minnows, and leeches, or fished with a drifting or stationary float. Small jigs and flies can also be very effective. Light, trout-sized tackle with small clouser minnows or woolly buggers can be deadly on yellow perch, and a delicious meal of perch is a grand reward after a day of flyfishing for these pint-sized tusslers.