UTERYellow perch fishing in New York freshwater
In New York freshwater, yellow perch peak March–April and September–October and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. September: Fall perch in Oneida and Chautauqua.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Yellow perch in New York freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchPeak
- AprilSpawning
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeakFall perch in Oneida and Chautauqua.
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish yellow perch near Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain
Oneida's walleye and perch, the Finger Lakes' lakers, Champlain and the St. Lawrence for bass and muskie, Catskill trout rivers, Adirondack ponds, and the Great Lakes runs (see the lake guides).
What to use for yellow perch
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- Wax wormsOne or two on a tiny ice jig or a #10 hook for bluegill, perch and crappie, under the ice or a float.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 34–80°F water, best at 55–72°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch yellow perch in New York freshwater?
Peak season is March–April and September–October, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Yellow perch are here year-round. September: Fall perch in Oneida and Chautauqua.
Where do yellow perch hold in New York freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, dock / pilings, river, pond / pit — around Finger Lakes, Oneida Lake, Lake Champlain, St. Lawrence River, Lake George, Catskill rivers.
What is the best bait for yellow perch in New York freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), wax worms, nightcrawlers. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for yellow perch in New York freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) and change — read the current rule at https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/freshwater-fishing/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dec.ny.gov/regulatory/permits-licenses/sporting-and-use/sporting/fishing-license.
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