Tips for perch

[dougw]

Heading to mille lacs this weekend and I will be on the east side. Looking for some tips on where to start and what to use.

[Matt Johnson]

Which launch are you going out of and will you be sticking to the plowed roads or will you have a snowmobile?

[Tom Sawyer]

I always try to fish with the "bugs". Bring your camera and drill over sand/mud transition areas. The east side is full of these areas and historically had great bug hatches. Drop your camera down until you see these bugs, you can pan the area to see what size perch are present.

If you find the bugs, you'll find the perch.

Use small horizontal panfish tackle, for the most part, although if your over large fish try 1/12-1/16th oz. spoons and smallest Chubby Darters.

If your over deeper transitions consider using a dropper set up to help you fish faster. Perch won't stick around long, they tend to always want to "prowl" around like wolf packs. They haven't formed large packs yet, so stay on the move.