06-14-2023, 04:21 PM
Most of the perch being caught are taking the same crankbaits and bottom bouncer rigs being fished for walleye or wipers. I'm guessing that if you try fishing solely for perch you will catch the other species too. Some problems are better to have than others.
Right now the perch (and others) are hitting lures sweetened with crawler. But as the shad increase in size and numbers you sometimes do better with minnows or cut bait. And when the baby shad fill the lake...and the pickin's are easy for the predators...it becomes harder to get anything to chase that silly stuff fishermen drag by them.
Right now the perch are running between 12 - 13" average. There are a few smaller and some are caught up to 15" each year from Willard...mostly during the fall fling.
Right now the perch (and others) are hitting lures sweetened with crawler. But as the shad increase in size and numbers you sometimes do better with minnows or cut bait. And when the baby shad fill the lake...and the pickin's are easy for the predators...it becomes harder to get anything to chase that silly stuff fishermen drag by them.
Right now the perch are running between 12 - 13" average. There are a few smaller and some are caught up to 15" each year from Willard...mostly during the fall fling.