Yellow perch fishing with a guide

A fish for everyone

Perch swim in schools, so once you find them the action can be steady. That makes them ideal for children, new anglers and anyone who simply wants a fun day and a fish fry at the end of it.

Perch live in lakes and rivers across much of Canada. Lake St. Clair, Lake Simcoe and the St. Lawrence River are some of the well-known perch waters, but many smaller lakes hold good numbers too.

Open water or through the ice

In summer, guides look for perch around weed edges, sand flats and drop-offs, often using electronics to find a school. You fish small jigs, worms or minnows on light rods, and the guide moves the boat until the bites pick up.

In winter, perch are one of the most popular ice fishing species. Many guides set you up in a heated shelter, often called an ice hut, with holes already drilled, sonar to watch fish come in and tiny jigs tipped with bait. It is a comfortable way to try ice fishing for the first time.

What is usually included

Perch outings are usually simple and affordable compared with other guided trips, but each offer is different. Look for items like these:

• Boat in summer, or heated shelter and drilled holes in winter
• Light rods, reels, small jigs and bait
• Sonar or flasher to locate schools
• Guidance for kids and first-time anglers
• Fish cleaning on some trips
• Transport on the ice, such as a snowmobile or side-by-side, on some trips

Choosing a guide and what to ask

Ask whether the outing is family-friendly, how many people fit in the boat or shelter, and whether fish cleaning is included. For ice fishing, ask how the guide checks ice safety and how you get to the shelter.

Licences, seasons and catch limits for perch vary by province, zone and year, and some waters have special rules. Check the official regulations and ask your guide to confirm.

GuideHunter lets you filter by yellow perch and see the nearest fishing guides on the map, which is handy for a short day trip close to home.

What to bring

In summer: sunscreen, a hat, water and snacks. In winter: warm boots, a snowsuit or insulated layers, mitts and a thermos. Hand warmers and a seat cushion make a long day on the ice more pleasant. In both seasons, bring your licence and a cooler if you plan to take perch home for supper.

Frequently asked questions