Yellow Perch

Yellow perch are a popular fresh and brackish water fish in the USA. They are prolific fish and very adaptable. Perch fishing is fun filled and in some cases anglers gather in great numbers in the early spring when yellow perch school up before spawning.

Yellow perch are caught all season and are also caught ice fishing in the winter. They feed on small fish, insects, worms and crustaceans. Anglers use bait including minnows, grass shrimp, nightcrawlers or grubs or fish with a variety of small artificial jigs and lures.

Live baits for yellow perch include minnow, nightcrawlers, earthworms, grubs, wax worms, grass shrimp, crayfish and other baits. These vary with season and location. Fishermen choose live baits depending on availability and personal preference. Some anglers will find live baits in local tackle shops while others need to catch their own.

A small cast net or seine can be a great asset for anglers that need live minnows or other small fish. Another possibility is a minnow trap, which is baited and left overnight. This is a good option for campers or people that are staying in a lakeside cabin for a few days.

Brackish water anglers may find grass shrimp to be the perfect perch bait. These small, clear bodied shrimp are the main diet of yellow perch in tidal rivers and bays. Grass shrimp may be caught with traps, seines and small umbrella nets. They are best fresh but can also be brined and frozen. Grass shrimp are sometimes available in tackle shops either frozen or freeze dried.

Land dwelling baits such as grubs, worms and other baits can be caught just before the trip and sometimes right on the spot. Experience and experimentation are essential as well as sharing information with other local anglers.

Anglers often keep yellow perch for the table. They can be scaled, gutted and the heads removed for cooking whole, or filleted and fried, baked, broiled or grilled.

Yellow perch roe is also sought after and can be breaded and fried or mixed with eggs and scrambled.

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Yellow Perch Art


Yellow Perch Art by fish_fishing_seafood

Pan Fried Yellow Perch Fillets and Roe

Ingredients

1 lb yellow perch fillets
optional - whole yellow perch roe, rinsed and drained.
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 cup seafood breader mix or catfish breader mix (note: if cooking roe, coat with flour only)
oil for frying (olive, peanut, vegetable or sunflower oil)

Directions:

1. Pat fish dry with paper towel. If roe is being cooked, make sure it is well dried before cooking.

2.Combine eggs and milk. Place breader mix in freezer bag.

3.Dip fish in milk egg mixture and add to breader, shake well.

4. Lay fillets in hot pan. Cook till golden brown. Cook roe last.

Oven Baked Yellow Perch

Ingredients

1 lb yellow perch fillets
1 cup grated bread crumbs
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon fresh or dried oregano
1/2 cup melted butter

Directions:

1. Rinse fillets and allow to drain. If necessary, blot away excess water with a paper towel.

2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

3. Dredge fillets in butter and roll in dry season mixture. Place fillets on a greased cookie sheet.

4. Bake at 375-degrees for approximately 15-20 minutes. The fish is cooked when it is white and flakes easily.

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