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Caught American Yellow Perch in Port Clinton
American Yellow Perch Fishing in Port Clinton
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American Yellow Perch belong to the order Perciformes and family Percidae, making them relatives of walleye and sauger. These popular gamefish typically range from 1-10 inches in length and weigh between 1-4 pounds when fully grown. - Found primarily in rivers, lakes, and backcountry waters across North America. - Known for their distinctive golden-yellow color and vertical dark bars. - Prized by anglers for both their sporting qualities and excellent table fare.
Guided Trip by Captain Kenny Lewis in August
Meet your Captain Kenny Lewis
- Best Walleye Fishing Charter on Lake Erie!
Summary
Join Captain Kenny Lewis for an 8-hour Yellow Perch fishing charter on Lake Erie launching from Port Clinton, OH. Saturday August is prime time for targeting these sought-after fish around productive wrecks using specialized jigging and trolling techniques. This family-friendly fishing charter accommodates up to 6 guests with all tackle and equipment provided. Captain Ken's Wild Wings offers the perfect balance of action-packed fishing and comfortable cruising as you explore the western basin's best perch grounds. Whether you're an experienced angler or new to Lake Erie fishing, Captain Kenny's local knowledge ensures you'll experience the best late summer to fall Yellow Perch action.
Fishing Charter with Kenny Lewis – Rates & Booking
Captain Kenny Lewis of Captain Ken's Wild Wings on Saturday August offers this action-packed 8-hour trip targeting Yellow Perch on Lake Erie. Accommodating up to 6 guests, this full-day charter provides all the necessary fishing equipment for a successful day on the water. Captain Kenny's experience and local knowledge of Lake Erie's western basin means you'll be fishing productive wrecks and structures where Yellow Perch congregate during the late summer and fall months.
This trip is perfect for anglers of all skill levels looking to experience some of the best perch fishing Lake Erie has to offer. The boat is fully equipped with quality gear and safety equipment to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable day on the water. Weather conditions are closely monitored to provide the optimal fishing experience.
Highlights of Full Day Perch And Bass Fishing Trip On Lake Erie
This 8-hour guided fishing trip targets Yellow Perch and Smallmouth Bass from late July through October on Lake Erie's productive waters. Captain Kenny welcomes anglers of all skill levels aboard for a full day of fishing, with options to focus on either species based on seasonal patterns and guest preferences.
The trip includes all necessary fishing equipment, allowing you to focus entirely on the action. Captain Kenny employs specialized techniques including trolling to locate active fish and jigging or bottom fishing when targeting schools of Yellow Perch around productive wrecks. The steady action keeps everyone engaged throughout the day, with opportunities to land good numbers of these tasty gamefish.
Local Species Insights: American Yellow Perch
American Yellow Perch thrive in Lake Erie's western basin, particularly around structure and wrecks that provide them with cover and feeding opportunities. These golden-yellow fish with distinctive vertical bars are known for their schooling behavior, which can result in fast action once located. In late summer and fall, perch tend to group up in larger schools, making them ideal targets for bottom fishing with perch rigs baited with minnows or worms.
Lake Erie is famous for its Yellow Perch fishery, with fish typically ranging from 8-10 inches in length. The wrecks near Port Clinton provide excellent habitat for these fish, and Captain Kenny knows exactly which structures produce consistently throughout the season. When conditions are right, limits of these delicious panfish are possible, making for both an exciting day on the water and a rewarding meal afterward.
Plan Your Fishing Charter Day
Your 8-hour trip with Captain Kenny launches from Anchors Away Marina in Port Clinton, OH. The charter vessel is fully equipped with all necessary fishing gear, electronics, and safety equipment. Morning departures are typical to take advantage of prime fishing windows, though specific departure times may vary based on seasonal patterns and weather conditions.
Be sure to bring weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, food and beverages for the day, and a cooler for your catch. A valid Ohio fishing license is required for all anglers 16 and older. Captain Kenny will clean and package your catch at the end of the trip, allowing you to take home your fresh Lake Erie Yellow Perch for a delicious meal.
Fishing in Lake Erie: American Yellow Perch
The American Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens), a member of the Percidae family in the order Perciformes, is one of Lake Erie's most beloved gamefish. These distinctive fish feature a golden-yellow body with 6-8 dark vertical bands, making them instantly recognizable to anglers in Port Clinton waters during the late summer and fall seasons.
American Yellow Perch Overview
Yellow Perch are medium-sized freshwater fish native to North America, particularly abundant in the Great Lakes region. These fish are highly valued by anglers for their excellent taste, willingness to bite, and the fun they provide on light tackle. Their popularity stems from both their sporting qualities and their reputation as one of the best-tasting freshwater fish available.
American Yellow Perch Habitat and Distribution
Yellow Perch thrive in clear, cool waters with moderate vegetation and structure. They inhabit rivers, lakes, and ponds throughout the northern United States and Canada. In Lake Erie near Port Clinton, they're commonly found around rocky areas, wrecks, and underwater structures in depths of 15-35 feet. They prefer water temperatures between 63-77°F and tend to school by size, often gathering in large numbers around productive feeding areas.
American Yellow Perch Size and Weight
While Yellow Perch typically range from 1-10 inches in length, trophy specimens in Lake Erie can reach up to 12-14 inches. Weight-wise, they generally fall between 1-4 pounds, with anything over 1.5 pounds considered an excellent catch in most waters. Lake Erie is known for producing some of the largest perch in North America, making it a premier destination for targeting this species.
American Yellow Perch Diet and Behavior
Yellow Perch are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming aquatic insects, smaller fish, crayfish, and zooplankton. They tend to feed most actively during dawn and dusk but will strike throughout the day under the right conditions. In late summer and fall, they begin schooling more heavily in preparation for winter, making them ideal targets for anglers fishing Lake Erie's western basin near Port Clinton.
American Yellow Perch Spawning Season
Yellow Perch spawn in early spring when water temperatures reach 45-52°F, typically in April in Lake Erie. During spawning, females release egg strands that drape over vegetation or submerged structures. Each female can produce up to 40,000 eggs. After spawning, perch move to deeper, cooler waters before establishing summer feeding patterns that continue into fall.
American Yellow Perch Fishing Techniques
For Lake Erie Yellow Perch, the most effective technique is vertical jigging with perch spreaders or crappie rigs baited with emerald shiners, golden shiners, or crawler pieces. Light to medium-light spinning gear with 6-8 pound test line works perfectly for these aggressive biters. In August and September around Port Clinton, focus on fishing near wrecks, humps, and drop-offs in 20-35 feet of water. Trolling small spoons or crankbaits can also be productive when perch are scattered, allowing you to cover water until you locate active schools.
American Yellow Perch Is It Good to Eat?
Yellow Perch is widely regarded as one of the finest eating freshwater fish available. The meat is firm, flaky, and mild-flavored with a slightly sweet taste. It's low in mercury and high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. The fillets are perfect for pan-frying with a light breading or batter, though they're also excellent baked, broiled, or even in fish tacos. Their excellent table qualities are a major reason why perch fishing remains so popular on Lake Erie.
American Yellow Perch Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best bait for Yellow Perch?
A: Emerald shiners and golden shiners are the top baits for Lake Erie perch, though small pieces of nightcrawlers, wax worms, and small soft plastics can also be effective. In Port Clinton, local bait shops often carry fresh emerald shiners, which are considered the premium bait.
Q: Where can I find Yellow Perch near Port Clinton?
A: Yellow Perch concentrate around underwater structures like reefs, humps, and especially shipwrecks in the western basin of Lake Erie. Productive areas include the area north of the Bass Islands, Kelleys Island shoal, and numerous marked wrecks in 20-35 feet of water.
Q: Is Yellow Perch good to eat?
A: Absolutely! Yellow Perch is considered among the best-tasting freshwater fish available. The meat is sweet, firm, and mild-flavored, making it a favorite for fish fries and other preparations.
Q: When is the best time to catch Yellow Perch?
A: Late summer through fall (August-October) is prime time for Yellow Perch fishing on Lake Erie. During this period, perch form large schools and feed aggressively in preparation for winter, creating excellent fishing opportunities around Port Clinton.
Q: What size Yellow Perch is considered a trophy in Lake Erie?
A: Any Yellow Perch over 12 inches or weighing more than 1.5 pounds would be considered a trophy catch from Lake Erie. The lake consistently produces some of the largest perch in North America.
Q: Do I need a special technique to clean Yellow Perch?
A: The most popular method for cleaning Yellow Perch is the standard fillet technique, though some anglers prefer specialized perch cleaning tools that can speed up the process when dealing with larger numbers of fish. Captain Kenny can provide cleaning services at the end of your charter.
