Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
A schooling panfish prized as the sweetest-tasting freshwater fish — great for ice fishing
📅 When to Fish
Habitat
Lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers. Prefer clear to moderately turbid water with some vegetation. School heavily.
Best Season
Late fall, winter (ice fishing), and spring. Highly active under ice.
Best Times
Mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Highly active under ice all day.
Record
4 lbs 3 oz (Dr. C.C. Abbott, 1865)
Ideal Water Temp
50–72°F
Top Lures & Baits
- •Small jigs tipped with worm or minnow
- •Small spoons
- •Live minnows
- •Small spinners
- •Wax worms (ice fishing)
🔍 Identification
Distinctive golden-yellow color with 6-8 dark vertical bars on sides. Two dorsal fins, the first spiny. Orange-red pelvic and anal fins.
🍽️ Eating Quality
Outstanding — often called the sweetest freshwater fish. Firm, white, very mild flesh. Excellent table fare, especially pan-fried.
📍 Where to Find It
🎣 Beginner Tip
When you find one perch you have found 50 more. Drop straight down and jig slowly — perch are curious and competitive. They will race each other to the bait.