Wintertime Perchin’

BY Jonah Paris

Just as the sport of fly fishing has its internal cohorts, like the “dry-or-die” purists, the “it’s not a bobber – it’s an indicator” crew, and the dedicated “meat-only” streamer-chuckers, ice fishermen in Maine organize themselves into exclusive groups. Hardcore cuskers and muskie-junkies are a strange and secretive bunch, often keeping to themselves and speaking in hushed tones.

Whitefish-hunters are an even more solitary breed, only rarely spotted in the wilds of the far north and Downeast. More common are those of us who empty our wallets every Friday evening and secure a few dozen smelt to chase salmon for the weekend. Others specialize in strategically spreading traps across shallow bays for piglet-sized brook trout. And more than few of us take pride in traversing the State to acquire the finest XXXL goldens and suckers to tempt northerns.

I enjoy soaking a humorously large pike bait and dreaming of hooking a toothy leviathan. I also look forward to waking up at ungodly hours of the night to drive north and target salmon in the shadow of Katahdin. Similarly, I set aside several days every season to “run-and-gun” jig some of my favorite big-water togue lakes. I take those trips very seriously. Well, as serious as one can be hunched over a hole on a frozen lake, twitching a miniature fishing rod, squinting at a tiny screen, and cussing at the red marks. However, when the goal is simpler – to enjoy a sunny Saturday with my wife, bring the hound along for some exercise, grill deer steaks, sip hot chocolate, and catch enough fish to fry for supper – I am going perchin’. Ironically, those easy-preparation, low-investment, relatively close-to-home jaunts in pursuit of white perch tend to be the days on the ice that stand out most.

White perch are marginalized in Maine. They are not tossed into that dirty “junkfish” [cringe] category as readily as the pickerel, yellow perch, or bullhead, and yet they are not considered an esteemed gamefish. Even the name “white perch” is a misnomer. The white perch is not actually a perch. Yellow perch, along with walleyes, and saugers belong to the Percidae family, whereas white perch, Morone americana, belong to the Moronidae family, which includes European sea bass, white bass, and striped bass.

Perch Holes

The greatest challenges of perchin’ does not involve finessing wary fish. The tough part is locating schools in larger waters, and finding those waters that routinely grow big perch. Waters that contain white perch will generally have a targetable population; they are prolific spawners and can quickly overtake a pond or lake. However, not all waters that have white perch will produce big ones. The State’s archive of Lake Survey Maps with written summaries provides a strong initial resource to those searching out good white perch waters. Downeast Maine is traditionally known for growing jumbos.

“Keeper” size depends on individual preference. I typically draw the arbitrary “fryable” line at about 9 inches. White perch in the 9- to 12-inch range (a 14-incher is a trophy) are much easier to fillet than 6- to 8-inch fish. Admittedly, here lies a problem. The State has noted that decreased perch harvest, in part due to smaller size, can lead to an increased stunted population, thereby creating a vicious cycle.

Look for schools of white perch cruising the deep holes of ponds and smaller lakes. In many of the waters I fish, this is typically 28 – 35 feet. Use a flasher or fish finder to check depth and search out schools. Electronics are essential to efficient perch jigging. Keep drilling until you find them. White perch travel in large schools; where there is one, there are many.

Perch Gear

For perch jigging, I use an ultralight rod paired with a 1000 class spinning reel. I spool the reel with 6-pound monofilament, which is light enough to feel the bites, and heavy enough to withstand the occasional large pickerel or bass that crashes the party. Attach a micro barrel swivel to the mainline; this is crucial to minimize line twist while fishing spoons. On the business end of the swivel, attach approximately two feet of 4-pound or 6-pound fluorocarbon leader, and tie directly to the lure.

I carry two types of artificials while targeting perch through the ice: spoons and jigs. I bring a dozen assorted spoons including Kastmasters, Johnson Splinters, Swedish Pimples, and Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoons. All spoons are in the 1- to 1½-inch range and weigh 1/10 to 1/4 oz. I prefer gold over silver spoons.

For jigs, I pack a box of Chekai Tungsten Ice Jigs by Custom Jigs and Spins in 4.5 mm and 5 mm. The density of tungsten creates a strong return on the electronics, and the heavy weight allows for increased sensitivity on the light line. Ask ten different perch anglers their favorite color patterns and expect at least 11 answers. Pink, chartreuse, and firetiger patterns are my top choices for jig finish.

Tip both jigs and spoons with a minnow hooked through the eyes or lips. White perch will eagerly chow on small shiners, dace, and especially fatheads. Like other members of the bass family, perch feed by inhaling. Often the “bite” is indicated by a light tap or flick of the rod tip, or a subtle pressure on the line as the perch holds the bait in its mouth. When the rod tip twitches, or the line becomes taunt, even if the rod is not bent, I lift the rod and deliver an almost comically aggressive hookset. When it comes to wintertime sport, culinary merit, and just good, old-fashioned Maine fun, perchin’ through the ice is hard to beat.

For more articles about hunting, fishing, and the great outdoors, be sure to subscribe to the Northwoods Sporting Journal.