Nothing is more fun than getting in the middle of bunch of perch in a feeding frenzy. They can be like piranhas, only without the teeth. Fortunately, it’s a common occurrence on most good perch waters. But what happens after the frenzy? Do you stay and hope the action will return? When it comes to perch fishing the most important factor is location. The key to good fishing is to on ‘em. If you’re on ‘em you can usually catch ‘em.

Not all perch waters are created equal. Most, if not all, of the lakes throughout the Midwest support some perch population. However, only a chosen few have the right stuff to produce both size and numbers. Perch numbers, and size, can vary from vary from year to year. How do you know which lakes will produce the best fishing? Local bait shops can get you pointed in the right direction. Also, good fall fishing usually indicates excellent ice fishing. The first lake I’d try would be the one that produced a strong fall bite. In fact, if you hear about a good fall bite, make plans to hit that location during first ice.

By late fall, perch have set up in areas that will continue to produce during the early ice period. In good perch water, you can find fish just about anywhere. However, there will always be concentrations. And your job, should you accept it, will be to find areas holding "the mother load". Look for rocky breaks, bars and reefs, as well as sand and weed flats. And the key to keeping with the largest perch concentrations is mobility.

The most consistent fact about perch is that they are seldom in one place for very long. By being mobile you can find, and stay with, active fish. A good portable fish house, that is easy to erect and dismantle, will keep you moving. That’s why I like the Otter Sled from Maple Lake, MN. It comes complete with a heavy-duty sled featuring high sides that keep you from worrying about loosing your equipment. The cover is constructed durable fabric with a reliable zipper. A towing package is also available for snowmobile and ATV use.

Anytime you chase perch be ready to punch plenty of holes. Early in the season, you can do just fine with a hand auger, but once multiple inches form, a power auger is a must. I prefer a Jiffy gas-driven auger rigged with an eight-inch drill. An eight-inch hole is large enough to accommodate a jigging rod, depth finder transducer, and the occasional wayward walleye.

Finding fish is made easier with a portable electronic depth finder. Puck-type transducers allow anglers to read the bottom, as well as mark passing fish. Perch tend to hold tight to the bottom, but when you are really into heavy fish, some of them hold a foot or two above the bottom. A quality depth finder will show these fish.

Once you’ve found fish, the catching can be pretty easy. I like to start with a small Rapala Jigging Rap (#2), and tip the center treble-hook with either a small crappie minnow or the head of a fathead. Drop the lure to the bottom and work your way up. After reaching the bottom, hold the bait up an inch or two and sweep it up to about one foot, pause, and drop it back to the starting position. On the sweep, the Rapala will swim away from the hole and turn back in. Standard Jigging Rap technique includes sweeps followed by brief pauses. Watch your rod tip closely during pauses. The slightest bend in your rod tip might indicate a strike. Down a second hole I’ll drop a Bait Rig’s Willow Spoon tipped with either a minnow head or a wax worm. Perch preference can vary from day to day so you definitely need to carry both minnow and grubs. Rather than sweeping a Willow Spoon, like I would a Rapala, a spoon requires a sharp snap followed by a fall tracked closely by your rod tip. Make sure one of the two lures is always in action, because the active bait more often than not will draw fish to the motionless offering.