Techniques for Catching Yellow Perch
By Coltin Gresser
The Yellow Perch of Lake Michigan have been feeding the people living in the Great
Lakes area for hundreds of years. This species is a ball of fun to target no matter the time of year.
When they swim their loop around the southern base of Lake Michigan you can see them being
caught from the east, near Michigan City, Indiana. Once they head south, they are caught out of
Portage and Gary Indiana. Then to the west in Chicago Illinois.
Of course, just like any other style of fishing, fishing from a boat can increase the odds of you landing more fish.
However, when they are close to the slip piers in Chicago, fishing from shore can be just as good.
There are a multitude of ways an angler can target these fish. In my experience, using a
Crappie Rig is the most effective and enjoyable for catching these sometimes-picky fish. You
must check your local laws and regulations on the number of hooks per line and the number of lines
per angler before you go out. If you choose to fish in Chicago here are their DNR fishing regulations
To break this process down we will start by explaining what a Crappie Rig is and how
To use it. This is a rig you could make yourself. Eagle Claw, for example, makes some that are pre-made.
Eagle Claw Fishing Tackle Crappie Rig - 2 | Sportsmans Warehouse (sportsmans.com).
This is a rig where your main line is connected to a three-way swivel that has
a 6–12-inch leader with a hook on it. Then 18 or so inches apart is another three-way swivel
with another leader the same length. Another 18 inches down is where your bell weight will be.
The reason for the separation from the three-way swivel to leader and swivel to swivel is to
ensure that it will not get tangled up with itself. Also, to make sure that the bait is presented in
the right way to entice the fish to bite.
As the name of the rig suggests it is used to catch a variety of species. Crappie, Bluegill,
Yellow Perch, White Bass, and many other panfish. With this rig, you can use different kinds of
live bait. The bait of choice is generally going to be blunt-nose and fathead minnows. These are the majority
of species found in many local bait shops. You can also use nightcrawlers, redworms, waxworms, and
leeches as well. As for soft plastics and lures, the soft plastics used while Crappie fishing can be
used instead of live bait. Just remember if one color isn’t working keep switching it up until you hook-upfind out what colors will work.
When fishing this rig from shore you can “dead stick it”. Which is where you cast it out
and once it has it the bottom you let it sit. Also, make sure your line is tight so that you have a
direct connection to your hook and the fish’s mouth. When your line is tight you can feel and see
the bite better and the hook-up ratios are higher. The other way that one can fish this is to cast it
out and let it hit the bottom, then slowly drag the rig across the bottom. Every now and then, bouncing the rig
giving it some more motion and action. “Dead sticking” will catch the more finicky fish in
the area. Compared to when you start bottom bouncing you will bring in the more aggressive
fish. Do not be surprised if you catch a Lake Trout feeding on the schools of Yellow Perch.
I have noticed that some rigs will come with different colored beads and tinsel on
the hooks. This is another way to help bring in the fish. Keep in mind that sometimes the bead
and tinsel color will help but also hurt your presentation. Remember, don’t get stuck in that mode that you have to
keep fishing that color or pattern. Fish for a certain number of casts or put a time limit of 30 minutes or so, then switch up colors.
The same thing can be said for the size of minnows, bait, and lure you are
using. I have experienced when the fish will want a larger minnow and are feeding like crazy. I’ll
come back the next day and have to use smaller minnows or just the minnow heads. Don’t
get mentally disrupted if plan A, plan B, or plan C doesn’t work. Just keep switching it up and
changing your presentation. You might be one change away from catching your personal best or
catching that limit!
