Yellow Perch Fishing in Minnesota
A schooling panfish found in lakes across Minnesota. Excellent table fare and a popular ice fishing target.
Yellow Perch
Perca flavescens
A schooling panfish found in lakes across Minnesota. Excellent table fare and a popular ice fishing target.
Size Limit
No minimum
Daily Bag
20
Season
Year-round
State Record
3 lb 4 oz
Lake of the Woods (1945)
Best Months to Fish
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
What to Use
Live Bait & Natural
MinnowsWax wormsSpikes
Lures & Artificials
Small jigsJigging spoonsIce flies
Minnesota Lakes with Yellow Perch
2636 lakes in our directory have yellow perch — sorted by size.
Lake of the Woods (MN)
Lake of the Woods County
725,582.7 acres
Rainy
St. Louis County
210,200.2 acres
Mille Lacs
Mille Lacs County
128,250.02 acres
Red (Upper Red)
Beltrami County
119,294.35 acres
Leech
Cass County
103,443.8 acres
Winnibigoshish
Cass County
56,471.4 acres
Vermilion
St. Louis County
39,272.25 acres
Lac la Croix
St. Louis County
29,596.66 acres
Basswood
Lake County
25,952.96 acres
Namakan
St. Louis County
24,066.28 acres
Kabetogama
St. Louis County
24,034 acres
Saganaga
NOT IN MN County
18,766.52 acres
Regulation Notes
Reduced limits on some waters.
More Minnesota Fish Species
Plan Your Yellow Perch Trip
Find lakes, guides, and bait shops for your next yellow perch fishing trip in Minnesota.
Explore Lakes Find a Guide Bait & TackleRegulations shown are statewide defaults. Some waters have special regulations — always check the current Minnesota DNR regulations before fishing. A Minnesota fishing license is required for ages 16+.