Let's Talk Ice Out and spawning Perch

[charlie flanders]

Would like to learn more about this early season fishery. Any seasoned vet's out there that can tell me where in a lake or stream to look for perch at this time? Is the "North Shore" a target area like it is for gills because it warms faster? What type weeds do they perfer to spawn on? Rocks, wood?

 What presentations should I use? Live bait or artifical?

Won't be long before the ice moves out here in West Michigan and I'd like to have a "game plan" in place to try and catch a perch dinner or two!

Thanks guys

Charlie

[John Sheehan]

Good post Charlie! This season, the late snow stalled a prespawn/spawn perch move to the shallows. I caught a few Yellow Perch filled with eggs through the ice this year,in 10-12 ' depths near mid lake regions  They haven't showed up yet and my guess is the snow melt and cool weather are keeping their shallow haunts still too cold to visit where they usually are this time of year. Some steady warm weather is all that's needed I think.

I would like some answers to your questions as well .I think weeds and wood are attractors to spawning perch but a slow flow for oxygen and depths where sunlight can encourage the eggs they drop are factors as well .I find inlet areas where deposits of sand and gravel like by an inflow pipe ,incline bank ,or stream are key.

[John Sheehan]

OH AND I FIND SMALL JIGS ,TIPPED WITH MEALWORMS OR CRAWLER PIECES , WORK A CHARM!