White perch are a relative of the striped bass, but are smaller in size, typically measuring in at 8-10 inches which makes them an ideal (and delectable) panfish. They are generally found in brackish waters and freshwater ponds and are most prominent in the Chesapeake Bay and New England region.
What is the best time to fish for white perch?
Fall is maybe the best time to catch big white perch because they’ve been growing all summer. The silver colored fish are feeding heavily to help get them through the cold winter months. White perch are active through November and into December.
What is the best place to catch perch?
The best spots for big yellow perch may be inshore near shallow breaks or in water as deep as 30ft / 9m, but most gather near underwater structures such as rocks, weed beds or channels. Check these structures, and if perch aren’t schooling there, drift with a bottom-bouncing bait rig until one turns up.
Where can I find white perch in CT?
In Connecticut, white perch inhabit most estuaries and all larger tidal rivers and occasionally venture into Long Island Sound. Some landlocked populations in coastal ponds are probably natural, but most Connecticut lake populations are the result of introductions. White perch can be extremely abundant.
What’s the difference between a white bass and a white perch?
White Perch and White Bass look the same shape at first glance. They have similar fins, similar tails. The difference is that Bass are deepest directly under their front dorsal fin, while Perch are deepest in front of their fins. Put simply, Perch have more of a forehead than Bass.
What type of bait do white perch like?
Try live bait. White perch love fish delicacies such as worms, minnows and shrimp. Try a few variations to see what works best in your area.
What is the best lure for white perch?
Small stickbaits, like the Rapala Ultralight Minnow, are the perfect size for white perch. Catching perch isn’t complicated. They’ll take hair jigs or soft plastics, inline spinners, and stickbaits. Fishing bait is also effective.
What month is best for perch fishing?
Perch fishing is usually best in the early morning or evening hours during late spring and early summer and late afternoon or evening in late summer. In autumn, both morning and late afternoon-evening provide excellent fishing. In the natural lakes, the best fishing is usually from late summer until late fall.
How deep do you fish for perch?
Summer. Small perch can usually be caught in fairly shallow water year-round, but large adults head toward deeper water as spring turns to summer. By June, rocky areas in 8 to 12 feet of water are prime targets. By August, you can expect to catch perch as deep as 25 to 35 feet.
What size perch is worth keeping?
I find that 9-11 are the best keepers. 12+ the rib cage gets a lot more rugged and they’re hard to clean, and you don’t get that much more meat from a 13 than from an 11. Big ones are great for a picture, but 9-11 is ideal for eating.
Where do white perch go in winter?
“During winter months they hang out in the deeper portions of local bays and creeks, where they turn more lethargic. White perch will eat small fish fry of all species, crabs, shrimp, juvenile squid, and many other invertebrates, as well as on the offspring of other fish.
Can you catch white perch in winter?
Like the yellow perch found in tidal creeks, white perch will bite right through the winter months (even through the ice, when tidal rivers freeze over). But catching them in the winter months is often difficult because the baits they favor, bloodworms and grass shrimp, can become scarce.
Is white perch saltwater?
White perch is a small, silvery fish with a dark, highly domed back. It lives in fresh and brackish waters throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries.
Are white perch good eating?
White Perch and Yellow Perch are two of the most delicious Panfish you’ll find. Delicious as they are, the two species are often a topic of hot discussion among anglers and foodies alike.
Is pike a walleye?
The walleye (Sander vitreus, synonym Stizostedion vitreum), also called the yellow pike or yellow pickerel, is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the Northern United States.
Are white bass and crappie the same?
The easiest way to tell the difference between a freshwater bass and a crappie is by their size, weight and color. Freshwater bass average between 10-20 pounds and crappie rarely exceeds 2 pounds. Crappie have silvery bodies while freshwater bass are greenish, gray and brownish.
How deep should you fish for white perch?
10 to 12 feet deep
Aim at White Perch Hot Spots
A common hot spot are structures over water that are 10 to 12 feet deep.
What size hook should I use for white perch?
The best size hook for perch is #4 or #6 hooks for both yellow and white perch. These hooks even on light tackle will be perfect for catching most size perch and even larger perch when they are around.
What size hooks for white perch?
When fishing for relatively small fish like white perch, use smaller hooks like a size 5 or size 6. White perch are not big enough or strong enough to bend even small hooks like these.
What do white perch eat?
They prefer to eat small minnows like mud minnows and fathead minnows. In the Chesapeake Bay, white perch commonly prey upon grass shrimp, razor clams, and bloodworms which are all common to the region.
How do you fish for perch from shore?
In most waterways, you can expect these fish to be within 100 feet of shore. Best Bait Choices: Small minnows (1-2 inches), mealworms, nightcrawlers as live bait. Dead minnows will work if your state doesn’t allow live minnows. Artificial baits like soft plastics, spinners, spoons, and jigs can work well from shore.