Perch fishing, day trip?

[divs]

I would really like to try my hand at ice fishing for perch.  As we all know there really isn't any opportunities for that here in Eastern Nebraska.  I don't need any secret spots or anything just looking for good suggestion for lakes that have decent perch numbers that a guy can make a day trip out of?

[whitetips]

I would really like to try my hand at ice fishing for perch.  As we all know there really isn't any opportunities for that here in Eastern Nebraska.  I don't need any secret spots or anything just looking for good suggestion for lakes that have decent perch numbers that a guy can make a day trip out of?

You may already be aware of this, but in case you are not, http://digital.outdoornebraska.gov/i/237426.

And keep your eyes open for the updated version that will be available soon after the first of the year.

Daryl B.

[sandhillguy]

Ive found many of the sandhills lakes produce well, its a bit of a jaunt for you but I think it would be well worth your time. Lakes such as Merritt, I did well there last year suprisingly, Hoefelds lake south of Ainsworth has produced some very nice jumbos in past years, fishing pressure has let up a bit the last 4 years so i think it would be worth a try, the refuge lakes are also great although not like they used to be IMO. Nearly all my ice fishing has been done in the sandhills area, just seems to produce so much better.

[divs]

Any tips on finding perch?  Is it anything similar to bluegill/crappie fishing on the ice?

[whitetips]

Any tips on finding perch?  Is it anything similar to bluegill/crappie fishing on the ice?

Can be similar to bluegill/crappie fishing; it all depends on the habitat though.

For example, on our shallow, sandhill lakes with lots of aquatic vegetation, all of those panfish can be caught out of the same ice hole.  However, yellow perch are roamers, they typically roam the bottom looking for a variety of prey items.  Yellow perch typically roam over flats, those can be weedy flats with lots of cover where you can catch bluegills and crappies right along with the perch, but on other waters, reservoirs or deeper, sandier natural lakes perch will roam the basin.

Drill lots of holes, cover water until you find fish,

Daryl B.

[flatwalter]

I think that Daryl would also add to keep moving and moving once you lose the school.  We have used artificial under water structure such as Reel Weeds to hold perch a little longer, but they continue to roam.  One of the phenomenon that is really crazy is how the bite increases in the last half hour before sunlight.  At that time I like to have a fluorescent orange spoon on to catch their eye in low light.

[Fish-icer]

Nebraska has a handful of good perch lakes but if it was me for a shorter drive I would head North to the glacier lakes of South Dakota.  For a first timer, you cant go wrong by following the masses, especially early ice.  Later in the season as you become more comfortable with the lakes venture out away from the pack and drill, drill, drill and check holes with electronics til you find a school and then follow them.  Have to be willing to be mobile and hunt them.  When you find them it will be worth all the work you put in.

[Unclegillhunter]

I think this May post twice, sorry. Valentine refuge has perch or so I hear. But so do the lakes up in SD. So I am going to make a shorter road trip and get on the ice for some perch fishing before x-mas! Now just have to talk my wife into letting me!
Keep it safe! JDL

[BIGSKER74]

x2 on heading north

[Martinezb9]

I think that Daryl would also add to keep moving and moving once you lose the school.  We have used artificial under water structure such as Reel Weeds to hold perch a little longer, but they continue to roam.  One of the phenomenon that is really crazy is how the bite increases in the last half hour before sunlight.  At that time I like to have a fluorescent orange spoon on to catch their eye in low light.

Your dead on was in South dakota last weekend and every night an hour or so before sunset it was nonstop fish. I caught more fish in the last hour than I did the previous 8 hours. The fish were always there. I was marking them all day but they would come up look at the bait and any sudden movement they would be gone. But that last little bit of sunlight about 90% of fish that came off the bottom would take the bait instantly.