Brian Brosdahl uncovers the best areas to find big perch in the dark depths of mid winter.

The long stretch of winter ice fishing is here, with super-cold temperatures creating thick ice on most bodies of water. Thicker ice means less sunlight penetration. Add to that the snow on top of the ice and this causes the weeds to decay under the snow and ice cover, creating toxins in the weed beds. This will push minnows perch and predators to deeper water structures and basins. Naturally, without wind and wave action, oxygen shrinks in the frozen lake from shallow to deep.

As the days are getting longer, the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest point is an ideal time to target jumbo perch. Walleyes and some other fish have light-sensitive eyes that help them see after sunset and in darker waters. Perch, by comparison, need more light to see. The fish are getting more active as each day progresses, triggered by massive amounts of insect life becoming more active in the muddy basin areas of the lake. Insects provide a dependable diet of lean food for minnows and predator perch.

This insect life wakes up jumbo perch and pulls them into action. Their schools will graze through mud flats, searching for invertebrates. These jumbos bite during the day and can be aggressive at times.

It’s no secret that perch school up big-time in midwinter, into the largest schools that you will find during the whole winter. The large schools are a safety-in-numbers-way of protecting themselves from predator fish, plus is helpful in the search for tasty insects in the mud flat. Basin schools mean anglers have a chance to catch lots of fish in a short amount of time.

Before I drill a hole in the ice, I like to use my Humminbird Helix 7 G3 to look at the lake map to figure out where basin areas are on a lake. Some of the best perch spots that I have found are in moderately deep mud near structures that have rocks or weeds on top.

Anglers should focus on areas towards the main body of the lake. A basin depth could be 18 feet deep or 50 feet deep. Some lakes are simple, bowl-shaped with one basin; others are complex, with numerous structures and basins.

Finding your own active basin bite can be rewarding if you have a school to yourself. Anglers should use technology and the information you find on depths of known bites to narrow down your search. Drilling many ice holes will come into play while searching.

Once you’ve located a perch school, it is time to catch some jumbos.

Anglers should have a mix of tackle for their fishing presentations. Northland’s BuckShot Rattl’ Spoons in smaller sizes from 1/32- to 1/8-ounce, and Firebelly Spoons with a light stick insert, are tried-and-true favorites among perch anglers.

Fire tiger, natural perch and glo perch are colors worth starting with. Perch are cannibals! Minnow heads, wax worms or maggots are perfect for tipping on the small treble hooks on the spoons. The bait on the spoon actually gives the perch a target area to bite.

Match-the-hatch using buggy baits for insect feeders. Tip Northland’s tungsten Punch Fly Jig with maggots or waxies, and their Punch Jig with a minnow head or an Impulse plastic tail.

Drop the bait to the muddy bottom and pound the bottom, creating a dust (silt) cloud. Lift up about a foot into the strike zone of the perch. Hitting the bottom actually riles up the perch and sends them into a feeding mode. Perch naturally root through the mud on the bottom when they are actively feeding, looking for mayfly larva and bloodworms.

Out in the open basin of a lake, heavy fishing line can be a deterrent easily spotted by fish. Light line is important. A thin fluorocarbon is the best choice. It has a better sink rate than mono. I like using 2- to 3-pound-test Sunline FC Ice.

Drop shot rigs should also be in your bag of tricks. Use a 1/4-ounce pear sinker or drop shot sinker at the bottom of line, with the hook loop knotted 1 to 2 feet above. Drop the rig to the bottom, put your rod in the holder, and reel the line taut without lifting the sinker off the bottom, so your minnow is always at the same depth with this presentation. Perch will grab the minnow and pull most of the time, hooking themselves. So, when the tip bends, grab the rod and reel them; the hook does the rest.

The last few winters have been a struggle to get around due to deep snow and slush on top of the ice not allowing anglers to move as much. On the bright side, I have noticed a lot more jumbo perch due to the light angling pressure. It takes time for a perch to grow to 10 inches or greater. In some lakes and areas, it’s an inch per year; in other areas, it takes 6 years for perch to grow to 12 inches.

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