In the Northeastern United States, perch will usually spawn from late March through mid-May, depending on water temperatures and overall weather conditions. Look for water temperatures in the 45- to 58-degree range, and if the water remains cooler, sometimes they'll spawn as late as early June.

Depending on where you live, my best advice is to plan your springtime perch trips based on water temperatures instead of calendar periods.

Where and What to Look for Spring Yellow Perch

I find my early season perch in deeper water around 28- to 35-foot depths, with temperatures running 34- to 36-degrees. As the water temperatures rise into the low 40-degrees, I start looking in shallow water of 4- to 9-feet around hard bottom areas with scattered vertical vegetation.

The females will lay their eggs in sticky clutches on vegetation or sometimes cobble rock. The males will swim by to fertilize the eggs, and once fertilized, the eggs are on their own. Perch don't guard their fry like some fish do, and oftentimes they'll return to the same general area to eat their own young.It's their ravenous appetite that makes them very susceptible to small grubs and finesse swimbaits.

Best Rod and Reel Setup for Perch Fishing

To enjoy these fish, it's best to select gear that won't overpower them, yet still allows for the best presentation when casting light lures.

I prefer Kestrel Finesse spinning rods from 6' to 7' ultralight or light power, fast-action rods rated for 2- to 8-pound test line. I pair these rods with size 1000 Kestrel SE Spin Finesse reels spooled with 4- to 6-pound line.

Another option I use is the KastKing Zephyr BFS Reel spooled with 13X Finesse Braid paired with a BFS rod. Both rod and reel combos provide accuracy and excellent distance when casting finesse baits.

I prefer using artificial lures when targeting perch, and here are a few that work well for me.

Effective Yellow Perch Lures and Sizes

First, choose lures with a light-wire hook and the right size hook.

I've enjoyed good success casting minnow imitators, Bill Lewis Mini Trap (1/4-ounce), SteelShad (1/4-ounce or 3/8-ounce), and soft baits like 2-inch curly tail grubs by Big Bite Baits or their 2-inch swimming minnows.

For hard baits, size 6 or 8 hooks are my choice. I rig the grubs and swimbaits on 1/8-ounce or 3/16-ounce ballhead jigs with a size 1 hook.

Line options:

1. 4- or 6-pound monofilament
2. 6-pound 13X Finesse Braid with an 8-pound fluorocarbon leader (for hard baits)

Both lines work well, but I do get a bit more casting distance with the 13X Finesse Braid.

How to Retrieve Lures for Spring Yellow Perch

The presentations for hard baits differ slightly from soft baits, but the common denominator is maintaining sharp hooks on any lure you're casting. To keep those hooks sticky sharp, I always carry a small file with me on every trip.

How to Present Mini Trap and SteelShad for Perch

The Mini Trap and SteelShad perform very well on either a steady retrieve or a yo-yo retrieve.

For the steady retrieve, I try to keep the bait swimming about 24 inches above whatever depth the perch are holding.

To perform the yo-yo retrieve:

1. Cast the lure out.
2.  Let it fall to the bottom on a semi-tight line.
3. Work it back with short, deliberate lifts of the rod from the 9- to 12-o'clock position.
4. Always follow the lure down on a semi-tight line as it falls back through the water column.

Employing the yo-yo retrieve is a bit of trial and error as you cast out and count it down until the lure makes bottom contact. Once you dial in the right depth, it's a highly effective method and a lot of fun.

When fishing 20-foot depths or shallower, I prefer 1/4-ounce lures. Deeper than 20-feet, I go to the 3/8-ounce SteelShad for best results.

How to Present Grubs and Swimbaits for Perch

I've found grubs and swimbaits perform best using a steady retrieve.I cast out and let the bait fall until I believe it's about 12- to 18-inches over the vegetation or bottom, then begin a slow, steady retrieve. Using a KastKing BFS series combo is a great option for this presentation.

Once you start hooking up, remember what you did to catch those first couple of fish and try to repeat it on every cast.

I've had days where the difference between hooking up and drawing a blank was simply counting the lure down from four to six feet. Attention to detail is particularly important, and sometimes the presentation changes from hour to hour based on wind direction, waves, or sunlight penetration.

As you retrieve the grub or swimbait, remember to wait until you feel the weight of the fish on the line. Oftentimes you'll feel the initial peck as the perch strikes the soft plastic. If you set the hook too quickly, you can pull the lure out before the hook penetrates.

When perch fishing with horizontal presentations, wait until you feel the fish on the line before setting the hook. Keep reeling and use a sweep hook set to ensure penetration and prevent missed hooksets.

Maintaining the same retrieve speed that generated the first few bites is critical. After hooking a fish or two, anglers often unconsciously speed up. Discipline yourself to maintain consistency, and you'll catch more fish on every trip.

Drop Shot Rig for Yellow Perch Fishing

Another great presentation for perch is using the same 2-inch finesse grub or swimbait on a drop shot rig.

When I drop shot for perch, I usually start with a single rig and, depending on the bite, may employ a tandem rig.

For a single drop shot rig:

• Determine how high the sparse vegetation rises off the bottom. Tie your hook 6- to 8-inches above that height.

• This ensures that when the weight reaches bottom, the bait suspends slightly above the vegetation where perch can easily see it.

If the bite is active, I'll employ a tandem drop shot rig, tying the second hook approximately 12- to 16-inches above the first hook.

This presentation also requires a "wait until you feel it" mentality. Perch are notorious for pecking or tapping a bait several times before fully committing.

Why Perch Fishing Is Great for Beginners and Youth

This "wait until you feel it" technique can sometimes be frustrating, but it's very effective when sharing finesse fishing techniques with youth or first-time anglers.

Both groups tend to have slower reaction times regarding hooksets, which actually works perfectly with this presentation.

Casting finesse baits, especially soft plastics like grubs and swimbaits is a great way to introduce youngsters and first-time anglers to lure fishing. Perch are usually willing participants, they provide excellent table fare, and they're plentiful across most waters.

Get geared up right, pay attention to water temperatures, dial in your presentation, and enjoy these scrappy panfish.

Better yet, take a youngster with you and share the experience.

Learn more about spring fishing articles

Best Northern Pike Fishing Lures for Early Spring

Best Spring Lures: Underspin Jig Head Fishing 101

Three Best Pre-Spawn Bass Fishing Baits For Late Winter and Early Spring

About the Author

Captain Burnie Haney is owner/operator of New York Fishing Adventures, Army veteran and retired Sergeant Major with a 38-year military career. A tournament bass angler since 1992, he has won five Angler of the Year titles, set the NYTBF five-fish weight record, and qualified for two National Championships. Burnie holds two International Game Fish Association (IGFA) New York State line class records (walleye and smallmouth bass) and the IGFA All Tackle Length World Record for Chain Pickerel. He is a lifetime member of B.A.S.S. and member of the New York State Outdoor Writers' Association. Haney was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame in 2017. Today, Burnie focuses on multi-species seasonal fishing adventures.