UTERYellow perch fishing in Lake Huron
In Lake Huron, yellow perch peak January–April and September–October and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Saginaw Bay ice perch.
Fall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
Yellow perch in Lake Huron, month by month
- JanuaryPeakSaginaw Bay ice perch.
- FebruaryPeakPeak ice walleye on the bay. Walleye possession is open year-round on Saginaw Bay now; Les Cheneaux whitefish and pike through the ice.
- MarchPeakSaginaw River walleye run; steelhead start up the Au Sable. Jig the river at night as the ice goes out; spawn bags on the Au Sable and the Rifle.
- AprilSpawningSpring run peaks on the rivers; St. Clair smallmouth pre-spawn. River walleye and steelhead; catch-and-release smallmouth on Lake St. Clair.
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeakJumbos on the outer bay.
- OctoberPeakFall perch, steelhead, and St. Clair's big muskie. Perch rigs on the bay; spawn in the rivers; big muskie on St. Clair.
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish yellow perch near Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin
Saginaw Bay — one of the great walleye and perch fisheries in the country — the rocky Thunder Bay and Drummond Island shoals for lake trout and smallmouth, the Au Sable and Rifle river runs, and Lake St. Clair, the shallow weedy world-class water for muskie and smallmouth between Huron and Erie.
Fish Scouter charts 324 lake, 86 reservoir spots in the Lake Huron & Lake St. Clair map area — the kinds yellow perch hold on.
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 Lake Huron?
Peak season is January–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. January: Saginaw Bay ice perch.
Where do yellow perch hold in Lake Huron?
Look on lake, fishing pier, dock / pilings, river — around Saginaw Bay, Bay City, Port Austin, Oscoda, Alpena, Rogers City.
What is the best bait for yellow perch in Lake Huron?
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.
Fish it with the tide in your pocket
Fish Scouter scores yellow perch for this hour on this water, draws every reef, wreck and access point near you, and keeps your spots. $9.99 a month, 14 days free.
Start 14 free daysMore
All about yellow perch · Lake Huron & Lake St. Clair, the whole year