02-01-2024, 11:23 PM
When the ice comes off, you will be able to catch perch if you can find them. The big shadlet dieoff is over, even though some continue to die during the winter. But there will be no big concentrations of perch. They kinda scatter and hunt individually or in doubles or triples now. And they are getting closer to spawning time so their bellies (big females) are filling up with eggs...and they don't eat as much or as often.
Still, if you look hard enough and serve them something they want you can catch a few. But it is not likely to be as productive as before the iceup.
My focus is going to be on prespawn walleyes. At 40 degrees the toothy critters go on a feedup in preparation for the spawn...which begins when the water reaches about 45 degrees. During the prespawn you can even catch the bigger females on baits and lures. But during the spawn most of what you catch will be smaller males.
Still, if you look hard enough and serve them something they want you can catch a few. But it is not likely to be as productive as before the iceup.
My focus is going to be on prespawn walleyes. At 40 degrees the toothy critters go on a feedup in preparation for the spawn...which begins when the water reaches about 45 degrees. During the prespawn you can even catch the bigger females on baits and lures. But during the spawn most of what you catch will be smaller males.