Where should i be for perch?

[IceDuck406]

Hey guys,
I'm new to ice fishing this year. Ive realized that it's pretty tricky to find the perch on my local lakes ( LMR/ Thompson). I usually look for points and other fisherman to give me an idea of where to set up. I've been checking some contour maps and wondering if I should be focusing on a certain depth,  drop offs,  or finding flats w/ weeds. Any help would be appreciated. I don't have a depth finder yet, so im starting to feel like I have no real strategy. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[hardwater diehard]

Perch are fish of the flats ...find some "sticky" bottom...close to weeds ...fish the flat before the break and the bottom of the break out a little ways.

[G fish]

LMR is a hit or miss lake. never fished Thompson.
first thing I would do is save up some money and get a flasher that will change the game for you.
I have fished without a flasher and you need to be open minded. set one rod up as a dead stick with some bait on it about 1-2' off bottom some times they only want it right on the bottom so try it all.
On my jigging rod I like to start with some type of spoon gold or silver or glow.  if they don't want that I will switch to a tungsten jig or a spoon with a micro dropper. I have had luck also with micro tube jigs. I would make a rope system to check depth or go off contour map like you said.  as far as a depth some start shallow and go deep as the day gets long.  I would look for 20' range to get ya started much deeper its tough to see or fill the bite if they are lite biting.  hope that helps.

[hardwater diehard]

http://www.in-fisherman.com/panfish/yellow-perch/finding-jumbo-perch/

[hardwater diehard]

http://www.in-fisherman.com/panfish/yellow-perch/fishing-ice-perch/

[hardwater diehard]

http://www.in-fisherman.com/ice-fishing/dead-stick-fishing/