ONTARIO'S JUMBO PERCH FACTORIES

Lots of lakes boast good yellow perch populations. Across North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan literally hundreds of natural lakes, impoundments and the Great Lakes support sizable numbers of these popular panfish. Among the many bodies of water noted for producing perch, a few select fisheries also yield what anglers refer to as jumbo perch.

The word jumbo is a loosely used description that collectively identifies the much coveted yellow bellies or adult sized fish. Most fishermen agree than any perch that stretches 10 inches or more qualifies as a jumbo.
Unfortunately, the list of lakes that routinely produce lots of jumbo perch is a short one. Few bodies of water have all the necessary ingredients to not only produce jumbo perch, but to also support large populations of these adult fish.

A number of factors contribute to perch populations and the relative number of adult fish in that population. Food (or in most cases the lack of it) ranks as the number one factor that limits both the size and number of perch a body of water can support. Sustaining a large adult population of perch requires not one but several different forage forage types. These forages provide perch with necessary protein at every stage of their development.

From the moment they hatch, young yellow perch require lots of easily obtainable protein. Perch fry depend almost completely on tiny zooplankton during the first few weeks of their lives. A fertile lake that has an unlimited supply of zooplankton is the foundation for producing a strong population of perch. Without this critical foundation, growth rates will be very slow.

As perch grow, their diet expands to include both zooplankton and a mix of newly hatched minnows and fish from a number of species including their own kind. Fueled by this protein rich food resource, perch grow quickly and soon they are after larger prey. Aquatic insects and a number of other invertebrates become the next critical stepping stone in the diet of yellow perch. This essential food source is high in food value and relatively easy for growing perch to catch. Lakes that do not support large amounts of aquatic insects and or invertebrates simply can't support a substantial perch population.

As perch grow the elements of their diet continue to change. Fish that approach six inches in length start feeding heavily on small minnows. Crayfish also enter into the perch's diet at this point. Minnows and crayfish are a necessary part of the perch's diet and a major source of protein, but adult fish don't feed exclusively on these forages. Instead adult perch are opportunistic, feeding on whatever food source is currently abundant and easily caught.

Adult perch feed on a mixture of forages including minnows, crayfish, aquatic insects and invertebrates. If any part of this delicate food web is broken, perch growth suffers. This is the very reason so many perch lakes have large numbers of small to medium sized fish and few adult fish.

The best perch lakes are large bodies of water. Small lakes can produce big perch, but not in large numbers. The ideal perch lake is similar to waters that also produce good walleye fishing. In fact, it's common for these two related species to share the same habitats and forages.

Lakes that feature sprawling flats with a bottom composition of sand, gravel and scattered rocks are ideal for perch. Mix in a few scattered weed beds, some shallow water shoals, a little deep water and the model perch lake starts to take shape.

Lake Simcoe, located just north of Toronto is one of the largest bodies of water in Ontario and it may well be the most fertile perch fishery in North America. Part of the famed Trent/Severn waterway, Lake Simcoe is approximately 30 miles wide (east to west) and 18 miles long (north to south). Positioned between Lake Ontario on the east and Lake Huron's Georgian Bay on the west, water flows into Simcoe on the east end via the Trent Canal. Couchiching Lake connects to Simcoe at the north end and eventually drains out via the Severn River that flows into Georgian Bay.

The number of jumbo perch this lake yields annually is staggering. The amount of fishing pressure is also amazing, with thousands of anglers traveling from Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Michigan and even Wisconsin to get in on the action.

The south end of Lake Simcoe is shallow and weedy while deeper water dominates on the north end. Because it's protected from heavy winds, Lake Couchiching at the north end of Simcoe normally freezes first and provides perch fishermen with the first safe ice. In most years Lake Simcoe is safely frozen by early January. Ice fishing action peaks at first and last ice, but due to the sheer numbers of fish, perch success remains good though out February and March.

Cultural eutrophication has worked to keep the nutrient levels of this massive lake high and the perch population holding its own against the huge sportfishing harvest that takes place each year. Talk of reducing this limit to 35 perch a day and 70 in possession is currently being considered.
Some of the most popular perch grounds include Cook's Bay from Gilford to Big Cedar Point on the west side of the lake. On the east side of the lake perch are routinely taken from Keswick to Roches Point. In both areas the best fishing usually takes place in 10-30 feet of water. The area between Virginia Beach and Beaverton is another good perch stretch. More good perch waters are found at Orillia and throughout connecting Lake Couchiching.

"I keep it simple," says avid perch fisherman and frequent Simcoe visitor Jim Harriger of Lansing Michigan. "My favorite perch rig is a No. 10 Aberdeen hook tied to the end of two pound test line with a small slit shot added about 12 inches above the hook. I use either a shiner minnow or wigglers most of the time. If the fishing is really slow, I'll switch to a locally produced tear drop called a Bibit baited with a spike or wax worm."

"The single most important piece of equipment for fishing Simcoe perch is an underwater video camera like the Aqua View," says Harriger. "Often perch bite so softly that a conventional float or spring bobber won't even budge. I watch my bait on the video camera and when I see the fish bite, I set the hook. It's a fool proof fishing system worth every penny I paid for it."

Anglers who visit Simcoe will want to come prepared to be mobile. A snow machine or quad and portable shelter are essential pieces of gear. Anglers who don't own this equipment can rent shelters from a number of services that also provide transportation, bait and other essentials. The web site www.fishontario.com has a specific ice fishing link that provides a full list resorts and ice fishing services that offer hut rentals by the day or week.

Approximately three hours north of Toronto at the intersection of Highways 17 and 11 is Lake Nipissing. Like Simcoe, this lake is massive in size and it has the ideal properties for producing jumbo yellow perch. Plenty of shallow and deep water, a fertile water system, plus a wide variety of forage types insures that perch grow quickly and reach jumbo size.

Lake Nipissing is an awesome perch fishery, but this lake is best known as a walleye factory. Special harvest restrictions on walleye have helped to maintain a heavy walleye population, despite year around fishing pressure.

Perch are often overlooked at Nipissing. Like walleye, the perch population of Nipissing is excellent and the amount of fishing pressure is light compared to nearby Simcoe.

Anglers who are primarily interested in perch are no doubt going to find that Simcoe will produce more fish on the average day. However, if catching both perch and some bonus walleye is appealing, then Lake Nipissing is the better choice. Both perch and walleye are taken from the east and south shores of Lake Nipissing. Often both species are landed from the same hole using the same fishing techniques.

Safe ice forms on Nipissing in early January and the ice fishing season normally runs into early April. Most of the fishing pressure is centered near the town of North Bay and the south shore, but perch can be found throughout the lake.

Lake Nipissing can be an intimidating body of water to those who have never fished here. "Hiring the services of a guide the first time or two out makes sense and can help speed up the learning curve," say Rob Hyatt, one of the best known guides in the region. "Lake Nipissing has a number of resorts that provide full fishing packages including lodging, meals, heated ice huts, bait and transportation to and from the fishing grounds. A few operators even offer ice fishing bungalows that enable anglers to actually sleep right out on the ice! Smaller ice huts are also available for rent by the day or week."

The perch of Nipissing will bite a variety of presentations, but a small minnow fished on a one or two hook bottom rig is the local favorite. Most anglers tie a small sinker to the end of their line and attach a No. 10 snelled hook above the weight about 12 inches. Just enough weight is used to easily maintain contact with bottom. Both live minnows and wigglers are excellent bait options. Locals tie this basic rig to a piece of wire secured to the wall of the ice shelter, making for a simple, but productive set line. When the wire starts bouncing another perch is ready to be pulled in.

Small jigging spoons are another perch fishing option that can produce a lot of bites. Last winter I had the opportunity to visit Lake Nipissing for three days of perch fishing. On this particular trip, small Swedish Pimples tipped with half a perch minnow produced a few more perch than set lines. Using a jigging spoon has the advantage of attracting fish from greater distances and it helps to get the bait to the bottom quickly when an active school shows up.

The same jigging spoon set up described for perch will also take a lot of bonus walleye that average 15-18 inches in length. It's necessary to fish with a little heavier line on Lake Nipissing because walleye and northern pike are so common. I found that using six pound test line provided plenty of action and enough line strength to easily land bonus walleye.

Again, because walleye are so common, a number of anglers favor jigging with one line while using a tip-ups baited with minnows as a second line. Tip-ups must be rigged with six to eight pound test line to produce walleye and perch. Tip-ups are typically used to target walleye, but they also account for lots of jumbo perch. A No. 10 treble hook at the terminal end and just enough split shot to sink the rig works best.

Jigging/swimming style lures are also growing in popularity among walleye and perch anglers. The Salmo Chubby Darter is a popular choice in this category. Armed with two treble hooks, the darting and swimming action of the Chubby Darter is deadly on walleye or perch. These lures can also be tipped with a wax worm or small minnow to further entice strikes.

Lakes Simcoe and Nipissing are collectively two of the richest perch lakes in North America. Neither of these fisheries are secrets, but they both produce consistent perch fishing year after year. In addition to providing excellent fishing, these lakes are also unique in that all the services visiting anglers need are readily available. Great lodging, meals, hut rentals, bait, transportion and guide services enable even first time visitors to quickly cash in on the perch fishing bonanza. One final word of advice; book your trip early. Resorts along the most popular fishing areas fill up quickly.