Yellow Perch Native
🔬 Perca flavescens
Michigan's most popular panfish and excellent table fare. Found in virtually every Michigan lake. Schools move constantly — find them and the action is fast.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Summer, Winter
Keeper size
8" at ~3 yrs
Ice fishing
Viable target
Regulations
limit 50
Where to Catch Yellow Perch in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
|
Houghton Lake
20,044 acres
|
Roscommon | |
|
Lake Gogebic
13,380 acres
|
Gogebic | |
|
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
|
Macomb | |
| Alberta Pond | Baraga | |
| Alcona Pond | Alcona | |
| Algonquin Lake | ||
| Ambrose Lake | Ogemaw | |
|
Arbutus Lake
510 acres
|
Grand Traverse | |
| Arcadia Lake | Manistee | |
| Archer Lake | ||
| Arnold Lake | Clare | |
| Au Sable Lake | Ogemaw | |
| Au Sable River | Iosco | |
| Au Sable River | Crawford | |
| Au Sable River | Oscoda | |
| AuGres | Arenac | |
| Austin Lake | Kalamazoo | |
| AuTrain Lake | Alger | |
| Avalon Lake | Montmorency | |
| Badger Lake |
Yellow Perch Conservation Status
Native Yellow Perch is native to Michigan waters. Most popular panfish in Michigan. Found in nearly every lake and river statewide. The daily bag limit is 50.
Yellow Perch Habitat & Behavior
Open water and weed edges throughout Michigan. Schooling fish — depth varies by season from shallow spring through deep summer. DNR records show Yellow Perch present in 634 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Clare, Antrim and Iron counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec. Yellow Perch is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.
Best Yellow Perch Techniques
Small jigs tipped with minnow or waxworm, small spinners, ice fishing with teardrops and waxworms
Best Yellow Perch Baits
Minnows, wax worms, small jigs, emerald shiners, ice flies
Yellow Perch Fishing Regulations in Michigan
50
Daily limit
100
Possession limit
Year-round
Season
One of Michigan's most popular ice fishing targets. Great Lakes perch populations can vary significantly by year.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Yellow Perch Stocking Records
Yellow Perch Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
|
||||
| Nov 5, 2025 | Little Clinton Lake | 250 | 7.0" | |
| Nov 4, 2025 | Clinton Trails Lake | 100 | 7.0" | |
| Oct 28, 2025 | Yellow Lake | 2,000 | 6.0" | |
| May 23, 2025 | Doster, Lake | 780 | 6.5" | |
| Apr 11, 2025 | Long Lake | Alpena | 500 | 5.0" |
| Apr 11, 2025 | Archer Lake | 500 | 5.0" | |
| Nov 26, 2024 | Lake Bel Air | 400 | 6.0" | |
| Nov 21, 2024 | Lake St. Helen | Roscommon | 1,310 | 6.0" |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Little Clinton Lake | 100 | 6.0" | |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Clinton Trails Lake | 100 | 6.0" | |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Searles Lake | 100 | 6.0" | |
| Nov 15, 2024 | Big Clinton Lake | 100 | 6.0" | |
Most valuable for Yellow Perch anglers
See where Yellow Perch will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 200 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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545
Historical stocking events
200
Lakes stocked
Oct
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
May
Oct
Nov
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Yellow Perch next season.
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Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
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Estimated Mature Yellow Perch — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Yellow Perch Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2022–2024, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Yellow Perch at keeper size (8") today.
Best Times to Fish Yellow Perch
❄️ Yellow Perch is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.
Angler Tips for Yellow Perch
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