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Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
7–10 inches
Typical Length
0.25–0.75 lb
Typical Weight
Year-round (no closed season)
Season Opens
27%
% of MN Lakes
Yellow perch are a staple panfish in Minnesota, especially popular through the ice. Their firm, sweet fillets are considered some of the best-eating freshwater fish. Perch school heavily, so when you find one, you've usually found a bunch.
Habitat
Perch inhabit a wide range of lake types, from small ponds to large wind-swept lakes. They prefer moderate vegetation and relate to sand-gravel transitions, weed edges, and mud flats where they forage for invertebrates.
When to Fish
Best months: January, February, March, October
Season opens: Year-round (no closed season)
Ice fishing for perch is a cornerstone of Minnesota winter culture. They school on mud flats in 20–35 feet of water. Small jigs tipped with minnow heads or wax worms worked near bottom are the standard approach.
Did You Know?
- Perch lay their eggs in long, accordion-like gelatinous strands that drape over vegetation and can be several feet long.
- Yellow perch are the primary prey for walleye in many Minnesota lakes — healthy perch populations often mean good walleye fishing.
- A school of perch can number in the hundreds and will move as a coordinated unit across a lake flat.
Minnesota State Record
3 lbs 4 oz (Lake Plantaganette, 1945)
Lakes with Yellow Perch near you
941 Minnesota lakes have Yellow Perch on record. Find the closest ones to you.
Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) is a panfish species found in Minnesota lakes and rivers. DNR surveys have documented yellow perch in 941 Minnesota lakes. The Minnesota state record is 3 lbs 4 oz (Lake Plantaganette, 1945).