Medicine Hat College Perch

keljay · #1 10-25-2009, 10:52 PM

Hi all;

I'm looking for some tips on catching Perch at Medicine Hat College. My wife, and I went there today and didn't even get a nibble. To those who have been to that pond before we were casting about 30m East of the culvert between the "small" and "big" ponds, right in front of a park bench. We tried both ponds.

Does anyone have a better location that they have caught some Perch from? Also, what were you using? We used small jigs tipped with Power Bait night crawlers cut in half, as well as some Gulp minnows. Honestly, we didn't expect to catch anything but we wouldn't have been upset if we had!!!

Thanks

whitetail Junkie · #2 10-25-2009, 10:59 PM

I find its better ice fishing there,however its been awhile.use small frozen minnows oe maggots on a small hook.however there are also some massive pike in them medicine hat colledge ponds ,so they take out alot of perch,you should go for the pike in the pond.biggest one i've seen ouf of there was 17 pounds caught by my cousin when he was a kid.

keljay · #3 10-25-2009, 11:13 PM

Interesting, thanks for the help. What should I use for the pike? The only fish I've ever caught were Rainbow Trout, so I'm not up to speed on what to use when it comes to pike, perch, etc... I have a general idea but I'll take any help I can get!

Sundancefisher · #4 10-26-2009, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keljay

Hi all;

I'm looking for some tips on catching Perch at Medicine Hat College. My wife, and I went there today and didn't even get a nibble. To those who have been to that pond before we were casting about 30m East of the culvert between the "small" and "big" ponds, right in front of a park bench. We tried both ponds.

Does anyone have a better location that they have caught some Perch from? Also, what were you using? We used small jigs tipped with Power Bait night crawlers cut in half, as well as some Gulp minnows. Honestly, we didn't expect to catch anything but we wouldn't have been upset if we had!!!

Thanks

Try this link for perch fishing tips...

http://www.lakesundance.org/PDFs/How...e%20Update.pdf

As this article is written for a private lake...be sure to read and follow the Alberta Fishing Regulations.

I am finding that the fall seems to be slower for perch fishing. This past few weeks has been ultra slow. About 2 years ago after catching tons of fish I invited a group over to fish...there was fresh ice around the edges of the lake...and we caught a big goose egg.

I find the best fishing for perch is the last three weeks in December, early September and mid May to Mid June...based upon our experience here at Lake Sundance.

Hope that helps.

Cheers

Sun

WayneChristie · #5 10-26-2009, 05:50 PM

Use wire leaders for the pike, and there are a lot of lures that work for them. Red and White, or 5 of Diamonds spoons, Storm Wildeye crankbaits, or even baithooks and smelts work well.

keljay · #6 10-26-2009, 08:00 PM

Thanks for all the info guys. Sundance, when I get a bit more time I'm going to check out that link that you posted.

I talked with a friend at work today and he feels the same way about the pike gobbling up all the perch.

Wayne, what pound test would you recommend above the wire leader? I'm currently running 8# mono and I have a feeling that it isn't quite heavy enough. Hopefully I'll be able to get down there again this Friday to try some of your tips.

Fishfinder · #7 10-26-2009, 08:23 PM

8# line should be fine. I only use 8, 10, n 12 # line and I have never had a pike snap it. I've brought in pike around 4 ft long on 8 # test. Maybe I've just been lucky though bcuz I don't use leaders either, only when trolling. As for the perchies, I use about 1/4 of a worm and it seems to work great. Check the regs though, not sure if u can use bait at the college but i think u can?Let us know how the fishing is at the college. I have never ever heard of anyone pulling a pike outta there in the last twenty years. If they r in there, they may very well be huge as nobody really fishes there from what I can tell?
Good luck!

bloom · #8 10-26-2009, 08:56 PM

So, what's the name of the pond behind the College residence then (you walk beside it as you go from hole 4 to 5 on the Connaught Golf Course)

See lots of people fishing there from the parking lot.

There's a little reservoir out by Rattlesnake that has some great perch fishing through the ice, don't expect to catch anything big though. It's called Cloutt's dam.