When the ice sets in, it’s time to hunt for “Yumbos,” aka big, beautiful and yummy, yellow perch! These little gold nuggets of fish are not only a blast to catch, but they also turn into mouth-watering bites of crispy goodness after just a few minutes in the frying pan.

So, where do you have to go to find these tasty critters? The first step is to head for the deep end of the lake. There’s no doubt that you might catch a bunch of smaller ones in the shallow areas, but if you want the big guns, the Yumbos are usually hanging out deeper. Deep is kind of a relative term. On Lake Poinsett in South Dakota, “deep” is a cool 15 to 16 feet. While at Devils Lake in North Dakota, you’ll want to venture down to 30 to 40 feet.

A few of my favorite hot spots for Yumbos are Devils Lake, No. Dak., Waubay Lake, So. Dak., and Dry Lake One, So. Dak. But wherever you fish, the game plan can be the same: Find deep water where perch can feast on their favorite snacks, like insects and freshwater shrimp. The forage is the secret recipe for growing the biggest and the baddest of Yumbos.

Before you head out to any new lake, do your homework. Hit up the local bait shops, grab a map of the lake, and soak up any tips from the guides and internet. Most importantly, get ready to drill a ton of holes. The mud flats near bay mouths are prime perch hangouts. That’s where you’ll find those plump Yumbos munching on mayflies and wigglers.

Pro tip: These flats are often expansive, so grab a few buddies to help you cover ground. Nothing says “teamwork” like drilling holes together and texting each other when you’ve found a school of fish.

Drilling holes is key. Lots and lots of holes. The ice may look like a cratered lunar landscape by the time you’re done, but when you finally find the fish, it’s game on. And once you’ve caught one and are in the right spot, you’re in for a bounty of Yumbos.

Here are a few tools to make your life easier (and more successful):

1. Fish-holding coordinates: Some spots are awesome year after year, so keep track of those secret fishing coordinates.

2. Humminbird Solix with MEGA Live forward facing sonar: This magic machine lets you spot schools of perch up to 150 feet around you. It’s like a video game that helps you put food on the plate!

3. A quick-cutting ice auger: Because nobody’s got time to struggle with slow, dull augers when the fish are biting.

Now, let’s talk about your perch-catching rig. It starts with an ultra-sensitive JT Outdoors 28-inch Shiver Stick ice rod. It’s light, nimble and has a soft tip that’ll let you feel even the tiniest bite (Yumbos are sneaky like that.). Pair this weapon with your favorite reel and some 3-pound mono. Tie on a small tungsten jig tipped with spikes or wax worms. Or go for a small rattling spoon with a mono dropper and a #10 Gamakatsu Micro V Gap hook. As for the color of the spoon, you’ll need to decipher that mystery on the ice. Change up often and see what works.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try piling up a few spikes on a small treble hook (spikes = Euro larvae or maggots) for an extra tasty, Yumbo treat.

When the fish move away (and they will), don’t panic! Split up, drill a few more holes, and move in search of the roaming Yumbo school. Sometimes it will take several moves, but with your trusty Mega 360 and/or Mega Live, you’ll soon be able to predict where the fish are headed next.

Start by working your jig/lure by bouncing your lure on the bottom—bang…bang…bang. Stir up the mud, and voila! Insects and larvae will be stirred up/not shaken, and the perch come running.

Once the perch get interested, slow things down a bit. A soft, barely-there quiver often does the trick. Sometimes, the fish are neutral or negative, but if you see one coming toward your lure and then start leaving, shake it like you’ve never shaken before. Perch have a funny way of biting when you least expect it; mid-morning is often the sweet spot.

The key to successful Yumbo fishing is to work hard, work fast, and enjoy every minute of it. Perch fishing isn’t always just about catching fish. It’s all about making memories and frying up those Yumbos when you’re done!

Looking for some new fishing techniques to try this season? You’ll find plenty of suggestions in every issue of MidWest Outdoors. Subscribe on our website.