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Perch #'s in the back waters


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In an unofficial "ballot" it seems to me that nearly all places along the river system have seen an increased # of perch the last 4 or 5 years. Both in size and qunatity! Just wondering if others have noticed the same thing, and if there are possible explanations for the surge... I know I really enjoy pulling some jumbo's along with the gills and crappies through the ice, and in the early spring. Happy fishing

PC

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I have not caught one perch in about a dozen trip. I have however seen some on the camera.

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I would definitely concur. Last winter I caught some jumbos on pool 9 and have caught many more on pools 4 & 5 the past five years.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Caught well over 100 perch over the weekend.Some very nice ones mixed in with lots of little ones.Perch fillets for dinner tonight. smile.gif

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I've noticed an increase in the perch and a decrease in white bass, coincidence? I think not.

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Crazy

Fished friday from 10:00 to 3:00 near the Wabasha marina area... Caught 50 + perch and a handfull of decent crappies. Lots of smallish gills as well. Most perch were under the 9" mark, but we did manage about a dozen over 10

Bigger fish came on tip ups with small fatheads or larger crappie minnows. Most of the sloughs are holding some perch now, but you may have to move a little to find some size. Most of our quality fish came in 8-11 FOW, but did have some in 3 feet as well. Hopefully the storm doesnt change the pattern too much, as I think next week will be good fishing.

Best of luck

PC

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Think late ice locations.We fished areas that are well known early/late ice spots that had few to no other fisherman fishing them.Definitely away from the crowds.We were finding the perch in very shallow water...less than 3 ft.Most fish were caught between 8 and 10 am. and we were on our way home by 11.We found very few sunnies and even fewer crappies in this shallow water.That was 1 week ago and many inches of snow later.Got 9,maybe 10 inches of snow here in Welch since about 4 pm yesterday.Rain and freezing rain all day Saturday kept me close to home but,I still managed to get bit wink.gif

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No report from Winona... dont get that far south...

Kellog/Wabasha backwaters are producing large #'s of gills, with some perch and crappies mixed in. Size has been on the smaller side but if you dont mind sorting, there are plenty of fish worthy of taking home. With the large amount of snow, watch for the fish to move towards some current or even a feeder spring in search of ample oxygen. Some fish esp. the perch are surprisingly shallow.

Bring your waterproof boots too, because it is sloppy out there!

Good luck

PC

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
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    • Brianf.
      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
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