Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
A beloved panfish found across the northern United States and Great Lakes region, yellow perch are famous for their sweet, flaky fillets and willingness to bite year-round. They thrive in natural lakes, reservoirs, and large river systems, making them one of the most accessible species for anglers of all skill levels.
Seasonal Activity
Best Techniques
- still-fishing with minnows
- ice fishing with teardrops
- drop-shotting
- slip-bobber rigs
Top Baits
- minnows
- wax worms
- spikes
- small jigs
- perch rigs
Fishing Regulations
Season dates and limits for Yellow Perch, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.
Colorado 1 zone
No minimum size. Liberal limits. Found in many Front Range and mountain reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: cpw.state.co.us
Connecticut 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for yellow perch.
Effective 2025 · Source: portal.ct.gov
Idaho 1 zone
No minimum size. Liberal limits. Popular panfish in many Idaho lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: idfg.idaho.gov
Illinois 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Found primarily in northeastern Illinois lakes and Lake Michigan. Popular ice fishing target.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov
Indiana 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Popular in northern Indiana natural lakes. Lake Michigan has separate perch regulations.
Effective 2025 · Source: in.gov
Iowa 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily bag limit of 25.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Maine 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for yellow perch. Popular for ice fishing.
Effective 2025 · Source: maine.gov
Maryland 1 zone
Popular in tidal and non-tidal waters. Chesapeake Bay tributaries are productive yellow perch fisheries.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.maryland.gov
Massachusetts 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for yellow perch.
Effective 2025 · Source: mass.gov
Michigan 1 zone
No minimum size. Daily limit 25 on most inland waters and Great Lakes. Some waters have reduced limits.
Effective 2026 · Source: michigan.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
Open year-round on most waters. No minimum size. Highly popular ice fishing target. Some individual lakes have reduced bag limits.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us
Montana 1 zone
Very liberal limits. Popular panfish in eastern Montana reservoirs.
Effective 2025 · Source: fwp.mt.gov
Nebraska 1 zone
15 per day. Popular species in Sandhills lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
New Hampshire 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for yellow perch. Popular for ice fishing.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.nh.gov
New Jersey 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for yellow perch.
Effective 2025 · Source: nj.gov
New York 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for yellow perch statewide. Some individual waters have special limits.
Effective 2025 · Source: dec.ny.gov
North Dakota 1 zone
20 per day, 40 in possession. Some waters have reduced limits. Very popular species in North Dakota.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Lake Erie yellow perch are world-famous. Inland waters have 30-fish limit. Lake Erie limit is 30 per day.
Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov
Pennsylvania 1 zone
Open year-round. No minimum size. Daily limit of 50 on most inland waters. Lake Erie perch have separate regulations with reduced limits. Popular ice fishing target.
Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com
South Dakota 1 zone
No minimum size, 15 fish daily limit. Popular ice fishing target in eastern South Dakota glacial lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Utah 1 zone
Very liberal limits. No minimum size. Popular at Hyrum, Mantua, and Fish Lake.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlife.utah.gov
Vermont 1 zone
No closed season or minimum size for yellow perch. Popular for ice fishing on Vermont lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: vtfishandwildlife.com
Washington 1 zone
Liberal limits. No size limit. Popular panfish in eastern Washington lakes.
Effective 2025 · Source: wdfw.wa.gov
Wisconsin 1 zone
Open year-round on most inland waters. No minimum size on most waters. Daily bag limit of 25 is the general statewide default; some waters have reduced limits of 10 or 15.
Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.wisconsin.gov
Wyoming 1 zone
Liberal limits. Popular panfish. No minimum size.
Effective 2025 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov
State Records
Official rod & reel records by state. Log your catch to see how you compare.
| State | Weight | Length | Angler | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MI | 3.75 lb | 21 in | — | 1947 | Lake Independence |
| NY | 3.5 lb | — | George Boice | 1982 | Lake Erie |
| WI | 3.25 lb | — | — | 1954 | Lake Winnebago |
| MN | 3.25 lb | — | — | — | Lake Plantagenet |
| IN | 3.13 lb | — | Blas Lara | 2024 | Lake Michigan |
| PA | 3 lb | — | Kirk Rudzinski | 2021 | Lake Erie |
| OH | 2.86 lb | — | — | 2016 | — |
| WA | 2.75 lb | — | Larry Benthien | 1969 | Snelson's Slough |
| MO | 2.44 lb | — | Sharon Christopher | 2021 | Bull Shoals Lake |
| TN | 2.31 lb | — | Jeremy Gary Lorenz | 2019 | Ocoee #3 Lake |
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