Hey all, hope everyone is doing well and is getting geared up for another great year of paddling.  

I have an upcoming trip to Q, June 17-23, going to McAree, Pond, Gratton and Unnamed and Wicksteed.  We eat a lot of fish, however we normally don't go in untill after July 1 so, we normally eat Smallmouth.  However going in early we can't do that.  So with a little research supposedly, Wicksteed, Gratton have Yellow Perch.  I figure since Gratton is so small they would have to be fairly concentrated, the real question is how do you catch them.  What lures and techniques do you use?  I do have a fishfinder (Cuda 300) unit that will be with me.  I guess we could just eat Largemouth from Gratton or go to Pond and catch some walleye.  I guess catch and release for the smallies will be the norm for this trip.  Let me know your thoughts.   Thanks

tonyt74 wrote on May 13^th, 2011 at 8:11pm:

We eat a lot of fish, however we normally don't go in untill after July 1 so, we normally eat Smallmouth.  However going in early we can't do that.

I'm not sure I understand why you can't do that.

dd

DentonDoc wrote on May 13^th, 2011 at 8:48pm:

tonyt74 wrote on May 13th, 2011 at 8:11pm: We eat a lot of fish, however we normally don't go in untill after July 1 so, we normally eat Smallmouth.  However going in early we can't do that. I'm not sure I understand why you can't do that. dd

sm taste better after July 1. I thought everyone knew that... ;) A little surprising it didn't show up in the poll as an option... :D

Old Salt wrote on May 14^th, 2011 at 1:26am:

DentonDoc wrote on May 13th, 2011 at 8:48pm: tonyt74 wrote on May 13th, 2011 at 8:11pm: We eat a lot of fish, however we normally don't go in untill after July 1 so, we normally eat Smallmouth.  However going in early we can't do that. I'm not sure I understand why you can't do that. dd sm taste better after July 1. I thought everyone knew that... ;) A little surprising it didn't show up in the poll as an option... :D

Well, I guess the reg's do say that there is a length (13.8") maximum. before July 1.

dd

There is a clause in the regs that state you can keep the Russian species of any fish almost any time................."get 'em and rush-em to the fry pan" ;)

Sorry Tony ;)..........everybody's a wise guy right?

Perch are awesome eating as they have a good flavor. The trick is not to oversize your lure and it must stay very near the bottom. That limits your options considerably. They also seem to prefer something a bit on the slower side. I strongly suggest a blakemore roadrunner type runner as it has a little flash, casts well, sinks quickly and is snag resistant.

Most people associate perch with weeds and that is very true but they also like to feed on crayfish so throw in some pebbly rock as well. I like flats for perch as opposed to dropoffs and if you can find a little creek coming in with some weed growth in the 3' to 7' range you have a good shot at collecting them at that time of year. The roadrunner also goes through the weeds well. Bring some extra ones as all fish will eat the runners including toothy pike. You could also pick up some rock bass or crappie with them.
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1/4 ounce is about right coupled with a full spool of quality 6lb test and your in business. Bring a card full as the small pike will chew them.

Beatle spins will also take the perch but have a tendency to ride up higher in the water column that the runners.

I am partial to the marabou tails as opposed to the plastics BTW.
Good luck, have fun!

You can get floating jig heads to use with plastics.  With a split-shot a foot or so up the line your lure should be hovering just above the bottom.

Slip floats can be fussy, but are good for going deeper than your rod is long.

Most places in Ontario bass doesn't open until the end of June.  Looks like Q is open all year with slot type restrictions.