Over two million acres of water make up Lake Michigan, and offer many types of fishing opportunities. Perch fishing is a popular sport, as these fish are considered good eating. While perch can be found in all areas of the lake, they are most commonly caught nearshore, in harbors and bays, and around the mouths of rivers and streams.
When fishing for perch in Lake Michigan, it is important to use a small jig or live bait rigged beneath a slip bobber. The best locations to fish for perch are around deep water areas with plenty of cover, such as sunken logs, rocks, or artificial reefs. Many anglers also find success by trolling with small crankbaits or spoons behind planer boards.
What is the best bait for perch in Michigan?
Perch minnows are the most popular and effective bait for perch fishing. Other options include soft-shell crayfish, cut strips of alewife, bits of cooked shrimp, wigglers, or soft plastics that mimic minnows. If trolling, small crankbaits or jigging spoons can be used.
Anglers usually still-fish for perch using minnows, wigglers or worms as bait. The perch nibble at a baited hook since they have no canine teeth, so anglers must watch carefully for the gentle bite, set the hook firmly and keep steady pressure on the line as they bring it in.
What time of day do perch bite best
Perch fishing is usually best in the early morning or evening hours during late spring and early summer and late afternoon or evening in late summer. In autumn, both morning and late afternoon-evening provide excellent fishing. Try fishing near sunken logs, docks, or other structures for the best results.
Small spoons are highly effective at times, and jigging spoons are a favorite for deep-water fishing. Lure color is also an important consideration. Perch typically respond well to bright colors like white and chartreuse, but they may also bite more natural brown and green tones that imitate crayfish and other prey.
What time are perch most active?
Early and late in the day are great times to fish for perch, as the low light levels make it easy for them to stalk their prey. Natural waters are usually the best bet for catching these fish, as they are more likely to be found in areas with lots of vegetation and hiding places.
The Octopus hook is great for live minnows and leeches because of its short shank and wide gap. Use a smaller #6 or #4 for 1-2″ minnows and small leeches to target Perch and Crappie. Use the medium size #4 & #2 on larger 3-4″ minnows and jumbo leeches for Walleye.
What bait do you use for perch?
When fishing for perch, the best baits are worms, small fish, and fish fry. Lob worms, earthworms, maggots, and casters are all effective baits. When fishing for larger perch between 2-3lbs, dead baits of small fish such as minnows are a great choice. Spinning with artificial lures or spoons is also effective.
Shallow water perch generally congregate in shallow water early in the season and move deeper as the ice thickens. Their movement could be best summarized by: “shallow at first, then deep, and then shallow again.” Meaning that at first ice, when shallow weeds are still alive, perch will be hovering just outside of them.
What colors are perch attracted to
The color yellow or light-yellow is found to be more attractive to perch, making it a good choice for artificial bait or lures. This is because the color is closer to the natural color of the perch’s prey, making it more likely to strike. When choosing artificial bait, it’s important to consider the fish you’re trying to catch and what color they are most attracted to.
Males and females mature at different rates depending on the area they are in. In southern California, males and females mature when they are 1-2 years old or at a length of 15 centimeters (6 inches) long. However, in central California, spawning takes place primarily in the late summer-early fall. There may also be year-round spawning in some southern California areas.
What do perch look like on a fish finder?
All off the bottom right in here you see the blue And then you see that yellow that means it’s a bee!
If you’re looking for perch, you’ll find them in areas with fresh water. Look for natural structures like weeds, dams, submerged objects, islands, inlets, rocks, reeds and bridges. Plants will attract bait fish, which in turn will attract sport fish. So those are the areas you want to focus on.
What time of year is best for perch
Perch are a predatory fish that can be found in almost any freshwater or wetland environment. They are especially easy to find during the autumn and winter months. As predators, they play an important role in the food chain and ecosystem.
If you’re targeting perch, then using the right lure is critical for success. Here are the top four lures to use, depending on the time of year:
1. Crankbaits – These are best used in October/November when the perch are feeding heavily prior to winter.
2. Shads – These are best used in November/December when the perch are starting to slow down and are looking for an easy meal.
3. Drop Shot – This is the go-to lure when fishing for perch in December/January. The perch are inactive at this time of year and the drop shot allows you to target them in the deeper waters where they congregate.
4. Creature Baits – These are best used in January/February when the perch are beginning to stir and are looking for a protein-rich meal.
What smells do perch like?
There are certain scents that are known to either attract or repel fish. Human saliva, for example, is known to be a fish attractant. On the other hand, anything with a fishy scent is likely to repel fish. Other scents that are known to attract or repel fish include cheese, coffee, garlic, alcohol, human natural oils, sunscreen, and bug spray.
The perch that I call “schoolies” are usually five to nine inches long. They’re a great fish to catch when you’re just starting out, and they’re usually found in schools near the shore.
Final Words
Use a small spinnerbait or flies in bright colors. Perch are attracted to bait that moves quickly through the water, so use a fast retrieval rate when fishing. Perch typically bite best in the early morning or late evening hours. Look for perch near submerged vegetation, logs, or rocks in lake Michigan.
Fishing for perch in Lake Michigan can be a great experience. There are many different techniques that can be used, but one of the most effective is to fish with live bait. Minnows or nightcrawlers are good choices. Another good tip is to fish near structures such as docks or breakwalls, as perch tend to congregate there. With a little patience and some luck, you can have a great day out on the lake fishing for perch.
