FishableWaters

Species

Yellow Perch

On record in 291 waters across 10 states

Yellow perch school in large numbers, bite readily, and taste as good as any freshwater fish, which makes them one of the most consistently productive fish to target when you just want to catch something. Where you find one perch, there are usually fifty more nearby.

Yellow Perch are on record in 291 waters across 10 states, most heavily in Washington, Wisconsin, Ohio, Utah and North Dakota. FishableWaters tracks every yellow perch stocking from state agency reports — use the state links and most-stocked list below to find waters near you.

Yellow Perch
Duane Raver / USFWS

By state

Most-stocked waters

How to catch them

Perch school tight and move around, so fishing with electronics to locate schools and then working a bait vertically through the school is the most efficient approach. Once you find a school, staying put and working the same spot usually outproduces moving around.

Small minnows, worm pieces, and perch-specific jigs like tiny spoons or beaded rigs work well. Ice anglers often rely on small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head or waxworm.

Know your fish

Golden-yellow body with six to eight dark vertical bars, two separate dorsal fins, and orange-tinted lower fins, especially during spawning season. The body shape is more elongated and less compressed than a bluegill or crappie.

Fall through winter, including under the ice, is prime perch season in most northern waters, as schools group up tight in predictable depths. Spring spawning runs into shallow water also produce strong catches before fish scatter for summer.

Freshest yellow perch stockings

Jun 24, 2026Willow LakeNE2,106
Jun 24, 2026Clear LakeNE17,301
Jun 24, 2026Clear LakeNE27,509
Jun 24, 2026Willow LakeNE43,009
Jun 24, 2026Hackberry LakeNE28,696
Jun 24, 2026Hackberry LakeNE25,233
Jun 15, 2026Enders ReservoirNE21,004
Jun 11, 2026Big Alkali LakeNE69,426
May 29, 2026Clifford LakeMI200
May 21, 2026Matteson LakeMI1,000
May 6, 2026Lake MinatareNE4
May 5, 2026Devils LakeND1,512
May 5, 2026Devils LakeND13,213
May 5, 2026Devils LakeND1,500
May 4, 2026Jamestown ReservoirND9,159

Yellow Perch — FAQ

Where can I catch yellow perch?+

Yellow Perch are stocked across 10 states, led by Washington, Wisconsin, Ohio, Utah and North Dakota. Pick a state below to see every water stocked with yellow perch.

What's the best bait for yellow perch?+

Small minnows, worm pieces, and perch-specific jigs like tiny spoons or beaded rigs work well. Ice anglers often rely on small jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head or waxworm.

When is the best time to catch yellow perch?+

Fall through winter, including under the ice, is prime perch season in most northern waters, as schools group up tight in predictable depths. Spring spawning runs into shallow water also produce strong catches before fish scatter for summer.

How many waters are stocked with yellow perch?+

291 waters across 10 states hold yellow perch on record, updated daily from agency stocking reports.