When fishing for yellow perch, there are a variety of artificial lures and live bait that can be used to increase your chances of success. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best options available to catch more Yellow Perch than ever before.
Consider the Area and Bait Available That the Yellow Perch are Feeding On
Always consider the fishing conditions and what type of bait fish are present in the body of water you’re fishing. Perch are opportunistic feeders, so they will strike at a wide variety of baits. In general, live minnows and worms are always good choices, but don’t be afraid to experiment with other options as well.
Experiment with different baits and lures to see what works best in your area. Whether you’re looking to catch perch in shallow water or deep water, these baits will work great. And always remember to check fishing conditions and what type of bait fish are present in the body of water you’re fishing. In general, finding out what the perch in the area you are targeting are feeding on is a great start.
If you follow these tips, you should have no problem catching plenty of yellow perch the next time you go fishing!
Live Baits for Yellow Perch
Minnows
One of the most popular live baits used when fishing for Yellow Perch is minnows. Minnows imitate the small baitfish that yellow perch feed on and can be easily fished using a variety of methods.
Perch will typically bite at just about any type of minnow, so it’s a good idea to have a variety of sizes and colors on hand. You’ll need to have a way to keep the bait alive however. Minnows are rather expensive when compared to other baits as well which makes them a little less popular.
Worms
Worms are another great bait option for fishing yellow perch. Perch seem to particularly like nightcrawler worms, but they will also bite at other types of worms as well. Worms can be easily fished using a variety of methods and don’t require any special equipment to keep them alive.
Other types of worms can also be used to catch Yellow Perch such as red wigglers or red worms which are easy to raise at home. Most worms are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of Yellow Perch baits and accessible in most areas even during colder seasons. You can even order worms directly from Amazon. Yes, live worms.
Wax Worms
Another good live bait for Yellow Perch is wax worms. Wax worms are the larvae of wax moths and are commonly used as bait for fishing panfish. Wax worms can be easily fished using a variety of methods and don’t require any special equipment to keep them alive.
Wax worms are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of Yellow Perch baits, but they can be difficult to find in some areas. You can often find them at fishing tackle shops or online from bait dealers. The biggest problem with wax worms is size of the bait.
Using a smaller bait if fine but it typically means you’ll be catching smaller fish. When fishing in an area that is overstocked with Yellow Perch this can be a really good bait, however, for most areas it simply a bit too small.
Keeping the Bait Fresh
When fishing with live bait it’s important to keep the bait alive and fresh. The easiest way to do this is to use a bait bucket or livewell. A livewell is simply a container of water that is aerated to keep the bait alive. These can be purchased at most fishing tackle shops or online.
Bait buckets are less expensive but don’t provide the same level of aeration. In either case, you’ll need to add an air pump to supply oxygen to the water. It’s also a good idea to add some ice to keep the bait cool in hot weather.
You can also use a Styrofoam cooler as long as you drill some holes in the lid for aeration. Simply add some ice and a little bit of water to keep the bait alive.
Fishing with live bait is definitely the best way to catch Yellow Perch, but it’s not always practical. If you don’t have access to live bait or simply don’t want to deal with keeping bait alive there are still plenty of options available.
Keeping bait such as worms or wax worms are much easier as they simply need to be in an area which is not too hot or not too cold. Most will be sold in small bowls with a lid and some moist dirt inside which can help to keep them fresh for a long time. When not in use it’s best to keep them in a cooler area.
Artificial Lures for Yellow Perch
There are a variety of artificial lures that can be used to catch yellow perch. Some good choices include spoons, spinners, and small crankbaits. When fishing with artificial lures, it is important to use small sizes that imitate the baitfish that yellow perch typically eat.
Spoons
Spoons are one of the most popular artificial lures used when fishing for yellow perch. Spoons imitate the small baitfish that yellow perch feed on and can be easily fished using a variety of methods.
There are a wide variety of spoons available on the market, so it’s a good idea to experiment with different sizes and colors to see what works best in your area. In general, smaller spoons seem to work better for fishing yellow perch.
Jigs
Jigs are one of the most popular artificial lures used when fishing for yellow perch. Jigs imitate small baitfish or insects that yellow perch feed on and can be easily fished using a variety of methods.
There are a wide variety of jigs available on the market, so it’s a good idea to experiment with different sizes and colors to see what works best in your area. In general, smaller jigs seem to work better for fishing yellow perch.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits are artificial lures that imitate the small baitfish that yellow perch feed on. Crankbaits can be easily fished using a variety of methods and are often used by anglers targeting larger yellow perch.
There are a wide variety of crankbaits available on the market, so it’s a good idea to experiment with different sizes and colors to see what works best in your area. When fishing for yellow perch, it is often best to use smaller crankbaits that imitate the baitfish that they typically eat.
Limits on Catching Yellow Perch
The legal limit for catching yellow perch in my area is 30 fish per day. The size limit is 7 inches. However, each area has different limits and rules. It’s always best to check with your Department of Natural Resources for the rules and regulations in your area.
FAQs on Baits for Yellow Perch Fishing
How Big Do Yellow Perch Grow?
Yellow perch grow to about 12 inches in length and can weigh up to 1.5 pounds.
What is the Best Time of Year to Fish for Yellow Perch?
The best time of year to fish for yellow perch is in the springtime when they are spawning. However, you can catch them all year round if you know where to find them.
Where Do Yellow Perch Live?
Yellow perch live in freshwater lakes and rivers. They prefer areas with lots of vegetation and hiding places. During the summer, they will move into deeper waters. In the winter, they will move into shallower waters.
What Do Yellow Perch Eat?
Yellow perch eat smaller fish, insects, and larvae.
What is the Best Bait for Yellow Perch?
Some of the best baits for yellow perch fishing are small minnows, worms, and grubs. You can also use artificial lures such as spinners and spoons.
What is the Best Time of Day to Fish for Yellow Perch?
The best time of day to fish for yellow perch is in the early morning or late evening when they are feeding. However, you can catch them at any time of day if you know where to find them.