Panfish

White Perch Fishing

White Perch
Image: Duane Raver, USFWS · Public domain

A small, schooling relative of the striped bass found in Atlantic coast estuaries from Nova Scotia to South Carolina and in many inland lakes. Catches peak during the spring spawning run and again from September through November.

Waters
6
States
4
Water
Fresh & Salt
Methods
Spin & Bait

Prime Months by State

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Highlighted months are the best fishing; the other months are slower, not empty. States not listed have no prime months from an agency source yet.

What to Use for White Perch

Fishing In

White Perch

Spin / Cast

6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 1000 reel, 4 to 6 lb line with a two-hook bottom rig and bloodworm or grass shrimp, or a small spinner.

Rod, Reel and Line

  • RodUgly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod · 5 ft ultralight, 2 to 6 lb, 1 pieceCheck Price
  • ReelPflueger Trion Spinning Reel · size 20Check Price
  • LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Typical picks from October, our closest listed month. Ask a local shop what is working in November.

  • Lure for October · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline SpinnerAlong shoreline structure.See Options
  • Bait for October · 1 to 3 inLive Minnows
  • Bait for October · Whole or piecesBloodworms and SandwormsPieces on a bottom rig.

Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.

Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Where to Catch White Perch

6 of 6 waters

White Perch Fishing by State