Yellow perch
Know your fish
Yellow perch
Perca flavescens
Typical size:15–30 cm, 0.1–0.5 kg
- Golden-yellow with 6 to 8 dark vertical bars
- Two separate dorsal fins; orange lower fins in spring
Looks like: Walleye is larger, with glassy eyes and no bars.
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cm
OK to keep
- Provincial rules; usually a generous daily limit
Must release
- Fish under 18 cm have little meat
Best months
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
Fishing licences across Canada
Rig to tie
- 1Swivel to main line Size 4 barrel swivel, 20 lb braid above
- 2Leader 20 lb mono (10 lb for perch), 80 cm
- 3Hooks 2/0 baitholder for cabezon; size 4–6 for perch, on 15 cm dropper loops
- 4Bait Whole shore crab (hook up through the back) or shrimp in the shell; sand shrimp or clam neck for perch
- 5Sinker 1–2 oz bank sinker on the bottom
How to tie and fish it
Tie it:Tie two dropper loops 20 cm apart. Sinker on the end loop so the baits sit just off bottom.
Fish it:Cast beside rock or pilings, keep the line tight, and wait. Cabezon take the crab and run for a hole: hit it hard and lift.