Finding Perch

[fishinfey8]

One lake that I fish regularly has a very nice population of jumbo perch ranging from 8-13in. In the summer time, you can find them in the shallow muddy bays, up in the weeds. You also will find them in the deeper water on the gravel, but the majority like the vegetation. Here's my problem: I can catch up to 50/day easily during the summer, but I cannot find them come winter! I will catch one or two randomly, but never can get on a bunch of them. This lake has endless structure with shallow muddy bays connected to the main lake as well. The problem is that it's hard to find any weeds during the winter at all. there aren't many to begin with during the summer, so fishing a weed edge is pretty much out of the picture...which complicates everything.

[Lunker]

Early ice they may still be in the weeds and weededges, but this late I would head to deeper water. I've been doing pretty well on perch this winter fishing the edges of deep flats in about 22-25 fow. Most people talk about perch relating to deeper "mud flats" when finding winter perch,not necessarily weeds.

[delmuts]

These questions concern open water.

If i remember, perch spawn when the water is 40- 50 degrees. A little lake i fish has a good population, and i would like to target them this year. We use to have an old road bed in 16 ft. of water, but most of that has silted in. There is rock along the shore of part of the lake that drops into deep water.(for this lake. max dept is 22 ft)

I've seen shows where the guys are using jigs tipped with power minnows and doing well; then the other day i watched a show where they were using a drop shot rig with minnows. There are a few brush piles also.

Would appreciate any tips on location, and types/styles of presentations.

[Esox_Magnum]

We find them out in the main lake basin in the deepest part of the lake in the winter, find a deeper rock point or hump near a shreline break and start drilling holes. Perch are nomads never stay in one spot long, todays hot spot may be the dead sea tomarrow.

[My_Key]

I've been finding them roaming the basin of a lake I frequent. Key word ROAMING. They don't stay for long, but rest assured if you hold tight, that school or another one will come along shortly. It's even better when a school comes in with a random walleye or two in it. While they aren't the biggest eyes in the lake, they usually have been in the 13-15" range.