14” perch....

[capper]

I’ve been hunting perch pretty much exclusively in the hard water season for
The last 6 Year’s. I have learned a ton over that time and have caught a lot of great fish. What I have never done is catch a perch over 14”. Lots of 13.5”, a few 13.75” but never 14” plus. Is a 14”perch a once and a lifetime now or are there still guys here that catch them on the regular? I’n Alberta? Here are a few pics of my last few outings. So far the early season has been great. Seems like the big boys have been hanging in groups of 2-3. Both times I’ve been out I would catch 2-3 back to back then crickets for an hour.

[SNAPFisher]

Nice work!! Congrats on the tanker-sized perch. That is a beast.

Be prepared for the PM onslaught. :)

[super mario]

Congrats Nice Fish

[RavYak]

I finally caught my first perch over 14 inches this fall. 14.5 inches just shy of 2 lbs.

They are definitely out there but not common. Like most trophy fish you need to first find a lake that grows big fish then you need to put in the time to find the genetic freak. The average population just doesn't naturally grow that big even in the perfect lake/situations. If you know a lake with numerous 13's it is only a matter of time till you break 14.

If you are mainly catching 11-12's with the odd one over 13 then chances of a 14 are slim. You need to find the lakes where 13's are common first. Those lakes often aren't the best perch lakes(quantity/fishing wise) but if/when you get a big one there is a better chance of it being 14+.

[the11fisherman]

I’ve been hunting perch pretty much exclusively in the hard water season for
The last 6 Year’s. I have learned a ton over that time and have caught a lot of great fish. What I have never done is catch a perch over 14”. Lots of 13.5”, a few 13.75” but never 14” plus. Is a 14”perch a once and a lifetime now or are there still guys here that catch them on the regular? I’n Alberta? Here are a few pics of my last few outings. So far the early season has been great. Seems like the big boys have been hanging in groups of 2-3. Both times I’ve been out I would catch 2-3 back to back then crickets for an hour.

I am convinced that there just aren't many 14 inchers out there. I caught one when I was 13 and haven't seen one since. My father who does about as much fishing as I do has never caught a 14 inch perch. We have caught many that are close, but only the one that broke 14 inches.

The funny thing is is that I caught that 14 incher out of a small pond that is infested with stunted perch and is overfished, so I have no idea how it managed to get that big.

[Fario]

Hi! I think you should take a trip to Europe and you will find lot of much bigger perches. I caught few over 20in :)

[Red Neck]

:) This is why I love my sport. The "Posabiltys" are always there for thouse of us who put in the years of doing what we love to do anyways:) Go get a 14.5!
Red Neck Out:scared0018:

[nast70]

I'll trade honey holes with you...
you go first :medium-smiley-035:

[Barnes19]

Wow! that looks like fun.

[Isopod]

From Wikipedia:


"The world record yellow perch (18 in., 4 lb. 3 oz.) was caught in 1865 from New Jersey, and is the longest standing record for freshwater fish in North America."

[the11fisherman]

Hi! I think you should take a trip to Europe and you will find lot of much bigger perches. I caught few over 20in :)

That is a different species from our local Yellow Perch though, so it sorta defeats the purpose of the quest for the 14-inch yellow perch. It looks very similar, but in fact is a different species of perch. The perch that you are talking about in Europe are Perca fluviatilis. yellow perch are Perca flavescens.

[3blade]

...

The funny thing is is that I caught that 14 incher out of a small pond that is infested with stunted perch and is overfished, so I have no idea how it managed to get that big.

Same. Only time I've broken the 12 inch mark, was from a "stunted" pond. Got into a school of jumbo 9-10s and then hooked into that football - 13" even

Capper, you're doing better than most. I too target perch pretty much exclusively, though for me it's a love of fish sticks so I keep smaller ones. There's only two spots I know of that have produced 14+, and both are better known for skunking those of us that go after perch.

[dryflyguy]

I've only ever seen one, about 20 years ago, my grandfather was trolling for walleye in LSL and hooked a 2lb 3oz. perch. There's a picture of it somewhere, was 15"+
Caught a handful in my time just over 13", in various lakes over the years, but nothing close to 14"

Great looking fish OP!

[capper]

Thanks for the input guys. I’m happy to hear that others have caught 14”+. I’m 30 now so I figure I got another 30+ Year’s to land the big one but Hopefully it happens tomorrow hahah

[pikeman06]

One word. Slave.

[Rikkles Fisher]

Best way to get a 14 incher is to release the 13.5 inchers! I wish you luck on your quest.

[Moefoe]

Best way to get a 14 incher is to release the 13.5 inchers! I wish you luck on your quest.
What Ricky said!! We hit up a place NE of Hanna that is slab city...lake ain't big, maybe 10' at it's deepest but it is stuffed with big Perch and that's all that's in there. Lake is infested with shrimp and other bugs, Perch do well...it's ok, chuck the big ones back...:)

[capper]

I know not all of you will agree but if I catch a 14” it’s going on my wall! Last year I decided to practice a 1 for 1 system that both fills my freeZer and gives me hope that I will catch bigger ones. Anything over 12” - first one in my bucket, next one back in the hole. I have released many 13+ inch perch and I’ve also eaten a lot of em too lol. The system works for me! Im
Actually allergic to fish so I don’t eat them, just take some to feed the family

[blgoodbrand1]

One word. Slave.



I’ve caught two 16 inchers.....both out of slave.


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[Sawridge]

I’ve caught two 16 inchers.....both out of slave.


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Really you've caught two 16" perch? Isn't that close to a world record perch?

[kostianych]

Hi! I think you should take a trip to Europe and you will find lot of much bigger perches. I caught few over 20in :)

Are you talking about these ones?

[pikeman06]

If you want the ultimate alberta perch just put in your time on the west end of slave. She'll come by sooner or later. Helps if you have a camera because they are just big random loners hanging with the smaller wallies. They aren't hard to catch but if you have the camera it helps so you don't sting them when they bite light. If you do that they won't bite again. Never caught a bunch but one or two legitimate shots at absolute tanks per day if you are in the right area and got the right junk down there.

[BuckCuller]

Are you talking about these ones?

I can tell you guys are holding them out. 😜

[PerchBuster]

15-5/8” is my PB....she was a beauty!

[SNAPFisher]

15-5/8” is my PB....she was a beauty!

Boom! She sure is.

[Kim473]

My biggest was 15.5 " still looking for the 16 incher to go on the wall. Been looking for over 40 years now . I know where she is , just can't get her to take the hook.

I think the problem of getting the really big one is, they are there but the smaller ones take the hook before the bigger ones even try. The big ones are more cautious and smarter, that's how they got big.

[capper]

Wow those are some amazing perch boys!!! I guess I need to set my goal higher lol..... I’ve fished slave a few times over the years.... normally for walleye and then the odd jumbo would roll And take the bait.

I know I’m about to detail my own thread but anyone fish Thursday? The early
Morning drive was amazing, sky was lite up the whole time with shooting stars/meteor shower but fishing was horrible, the worst I’ve done in 6yrs on that lake. Anyone else?

[jiggin4eyes]

Any pics

[silver]

A few years ago, I was at a small lake not far from here and one guy had a couple of 17" perch on the ice. Far bigger than anything I have caught. Since 90% of the plates were from out of province, I think the word had gotten out.

[Team Anzac]

Kimowan Lake (Hook Lake) has 14"-15" pearch and only issue, Daily limit is 5 and only 1 over 12"s. Which is alright, back in the 30 limit days we'd be cleaning fish for hours and all Hump back 12 plus inchers.

[Team Anzac]

Cowper Lake used to pump out some serious pearch back in the day also.

[Michael_Brown]

Firstly you need to find a place known for producing big perch and spend your time there. In Alberta, Slave Lake is probably top of the list as it offers the space and food resources to grow numbers of big perch. Yes big perch are found in smaller bodies of water but more numbers of big perch are found in bigger watersheds.
Secondly, big perch tend to hang around different areas than small perch, not sure if as they get bigger they tend to hunt different food resources but generally if you are catching bunches of small perch, the giants might be elsewhere.
Our best luck has always been away from community holes and crowds, if looking for new water, I start looking on sand flats 6-12 feet of water near a creek/river mouth.
Also most fish are caught actively jigging. I tend to use small jigging Rapalas and Northland Puppet minnows. Now here is my trick. I don't tip the lure with any bait just plain. I find any attached bait kills the swimming action but I do chum the hole with bits and pieces of minnow during the day.
Plan to be quiet in shallow water and being in a dark hut with clear water can help spot giants that are nearby. Of course cameras work well for this also.
I have been fortunate to see multiple perch stretch the tape to 16 inches and beyond but this was in another province. Still hunting for yellow monsters in Alberta. This winter will see some dedicated time in pursuit of jaw droppers and I will post any results. Let me know if anyone wants to join the hunt. :)

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/picture.php?albumid=1546&pictureid=7446

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/picture.php?albumid=1546&pictureid=5740

[SNAPFisher]

Holy crap! Those bottom two look like the perch that ate all of the Alberta perch :)
Truly awesome perch there.

Thanks for sharing.

[Bigspiker]

Those are some slabs !!!!!
The big perch are certainly where u find them
I punched 63 holes on Sunday
2 guys fished 5 hrs hard !!!
And the reward ... KEPT 8 nice fattys
The best stretched out a hair over 14 inches
The smallest 11.5 inches
A total of 14 bites and 4 lost up the hole,8 kept
All fish were of the same size class and caught between noon and 230 started fishing at 9
a few walleye and small pike before noon
First perch was the biggest ,Last one the smallest,whatever that means ?
My point is you have to fish known trophy perch Lakes by hunting hard and long no matter big or small water to find and catch more than one or two jumbos in a trip
Oh did I mention I drilled 63 holes before I found the spot within the spot
( 150ydsX150yds)
1/16 oz northland forage Minnow in glow perch tipped with mealworm hooked on 2 trebles and maggots on the other treble and my hook never stops quivering and vibrating with occasional twitches and jigs on the bottom 6 inches in 12 feet of crystal clear water
Stomachs full of micro scuds/shrimp
Just Sayin

[Kurt505]

Cowper Lake used to pump out some serious pearch back in the day also.

Ahhh the good ol days!

[capper]

Keep the perch porn coming! Those are some amazing fish! Can’t wait to hit the lake again! I’m in total awe of those 2 hogs in the above photo. True giants, I can’t even put words together to explain how jelous but also invigorated I am. I don’t expect to catch fish that big but god dame it I’m going to try....

[Michael_Brown]

Keep the perch porn coming! Those are some amazing fish! Can’t wait to hit the lake again! I’m in total awe of those 2 hogs in the above photo. True giants, I can’t even put words together to explain how jelous but also invigorated I am. I don’t expect to catch fish that big but god dame it I’m going to try....


Well if you want perch porn, I have a few more photos. :sign0068::sign0068:

14.5 inches long, 14 inches around. Not a Jumbo its a cube.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/picture.php?albumid=1546&pictureid=9723

Sometimes you find a gem in open water as well.
http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/picture.php?albumid=1546&pictureid=9702

All Ontario fish, so now its time to find some photogenic Alberta slob donkeys.

[Fishslayer99]

Firstly you need to find a place known for producing big perch and spend your time there. In Alberta, Slave Lake is probably top of the list as it offers the space and food resources to grow numbers of big perch. Yes big perch are found in smaller bodies of water but more numbers of big perch are found in bigger watersheds.
Secondly, big perch tend to hang around different areas than small perch, not sure if as they get bigger they tend to hunt different food resources but generally if you are catching bunches of small perch, the giants might be elsewhere.
Our best luck has always been away from community holes and crowds, if looking for new water, I start looking on sand flats 6-12 feet of water near a creek/river mouth.
Also most fish are caught actively jigging. I tend to use small jigging Rapalas and Northland Puppet minnows. Now here is my trick. I don't tip the lure with any bait just plain. I find any attached bait kills the swimming action but I do chum the hole with bits and pieces of minnow during the day.
Plan to be quiet in shallow water and being in a dark hut with clear water can help spot giants that are nearby. Of course cameras work well for this also.
I have been fortunate to see multiple perch stretch the tape to 16 inches and beyond but this was in another province. Still hunting for yellow monsters in Alberta. This winter will see some dedicated time in pursuit of jaw droppers and I will post any results. Let me know if anyone wants to join the hunt. :)

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/picture.php?albumid=1546&pictureid=7446

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/picture.php?albumid=1546&pictureid=5740

Great write up, sounds like you have them dialed in! FYI chumming is illegal, you may or may not know this...I may or may not be guilty of this myself :thinking-006: Just a good thing to keep to yourself if you do happen to accidentally drop some minnow pieces down the hole.

[NSR Fisher]

I think he knows chumming is illegal in Alberta, if you read his posts clearly he states a lot of his experience perch fishing is back in Ontario.

I don't actually know if chumming is illegal in Ontario, but there's enough reasonable doubt that we should be jumping on the guy without knowing the regulations where he is fishing.

[Michael_Brown]

Not really chumming in terms of feeding fish, the occasional minnow piece potentially fell off my hook in Ontario where its legal and I would spend all day jigging aggressively trying to re-hook the lost pieces. Giant perch keep interrupting my recovery efforts by grabbing the lure. I took photos of them to use as mug shots as a way to publically embarrass them for their poor life decisions.
Some areas of provincial legislation might be outdated and in need of modernization but that is a different topic and applies to every province.

[NSR Fisher]

Yeah I figured you were speaking of your time in Ontario. Don't sweat it man, people are a pretty quick to jump the gun when it comes to claims of poaching, etc.

No harm, no foul :-)

[Fishslayer99]

Not really chumming in terms of feeding fish, the occasional minnow piece potentially fell off my hook in Ontario where its legal and I would spend all day jigging aggressively trying to re-hook the lost pieces. Giant perch keep interrupting my recovery efforts by grabbing the lure. I took photos of them to use as mug shots as a way to publically embarrass them for their poor life decisions.
Some areas of provincial legislation might be outdated and in need of modernization but that is a different topic and applies to every province.

Well said! Michael, got a good laugh out of that.

NSR, he also talks about Slave lake and Alberta and if anyone took offence to my comments and thought they were directed as "poaching" or that i was "jumping the guy" should fill out a hurt feelings report...sounds like the OP didn't take offence to it.

[SNAPFisher]

Not really chumming in terms of feeding fish, the occasional minnow piece potentially fell off my hook in Ontario where its legal and I would spend all day jigging aggressively trying to re-hook the lost pieces. Giant perch keep interrupting my recovery efforts by grabbing the lure. I took photos of them to use as mug shots as a way to publically embarrass them for their poor life decisions.
Some areas of provincial legislation might be outdated and in need of modernization but that is a different topic and applies to every province.

:lol: