Anybody catching any perch in pierce county?

[spokey9]

I've been fishing american a lot lately for the lil buggers and while it hasn't been miserable fishing it's far from the usual pace this time of year. I've been averaging about 7 or 8 perch a trip that have been around 7 to 9 inches with a few bigger. Just curious if there's a better bite somewhere close by i should be hitting.

[tnj8222]

With the weather even panfish are spawning funny. Fish are confused.

My crappie spots arent panning out. Bluegill hella slow aswell. Was catching trout on a shallow flat that bass usually spawn on. I cant wait until mid summer. Should be able to find them where they should be by then.

[spokey9]

i think the perch have finished up their spawn at american (havent got or seen a single one with eggs yet). I think it's gotta be the weather too, because usually when they're done spawning they start biting pretty good. Hope this weather system at least evens out maybe that'll help some.

[jens]

I used to catch nice sized perch and crappie at Harts Lake. I'd fish a small floating rapala and both fish would slam it.. I'd also slay them using a size 12 hook- light line- small casting fly bobber- about 2ft leader using waxworms.

[spokey9]

Hey Jens, there any special spots you where finding quality perch at?

I use to fish hart's a lot (mainly for channel cats in recent years) and have caught some nice size perch in years past. The past couple years i've only seen what look to be stunted 3 to 4 inchers. I mainly would work the just off the pads opposite the boatlaunch (from the corner over there to where it starts getting woody) and the cove on the farside of the lake off to the right of the launch.

[jens]

Hey Jens, there any special spots you where finding quality perch at?

I use to fish hart's a lot (mainly for channel cats in recent years) and have caught some nice size perch in years past. The past couple years i've only seen what look to be stunted 3 to 4 inchers. I mainly would work the just off the pads opposite the boatlaunch (from the corner over there to where it starts getting woody) and the cove on the farside of the lake off to the right of the launch.

Pretty much samesies. We'd anchor in the lillys to the left of the launch all the way to the farm pasture. We would drop a worm in any opening. Best tactic was using no weight and letting it drop naturally. 4lb test is what I used back then.

[spokey9]

thanks Jens. that basically the same rig i use out there in less than 10ft of water.

[kevinb]

Lake Tanwax might be worth a look. Took the family out there last Sunday.
We caught plenty,however,the average size was 7 inches with a few bigger ones in the
mix. Tanwax holds some decent perch but they weren't with this particular school.
We had our best luck working depths of 10ft and fishing in and near weedbeds and downed timber.

[yooper_fisher]

Although I've never fished it, I've heard there are perch in Kapowsin

[spokey9]

Tanwax is a pretty good lake for good sized perch (the bigger ones don't school up as much at least from my experiece) i've been waiting for the weather to warm for that lake so that'll be on the weedy flats feeding.

Kapowsin is gonna be my next lake to try for perch, i've heard there's some nice'uns in there but haven't seen many bigger than 6 inches.

[kevinb]

Tanwax is a pretty good lake for good sized perch (the bigger ones don't school up as much at least from my experiece) i've been waiting for the weather to warm for that lake so that'll be on the weedy flats feeding.

Kapowsin is gonna be my next lake to try for perch, i've heard there's some nice'uns in there but haven't seen many bigger than 6 inches.

I know this lake pretty well,certainly some excellent perch in here. At 512 acres(normal level),Kapowsin grows several acres in the spring from snow melt. There are many places to explore. Some productive spots include behind the island which is also a pretty decent crappie spot too. Also just north of the island has a nice dip that holds some big perch but thats not usually until the hottest part of the summer. Pretty much anywhere around the northend,you can anchor up around the logs and catch perch all day but it will be selective when it comes to jumbo perch but the numbers will be there. Mostly the 7-9 inch but the bigger ones are there and will bite but they pick the time. Plenty of other spots on this lake,almost endless possibilites.
If your ever interested,I'd take you out in my boat. Just bring a bass rod for added measure and a sense of humor

[knotabassturd]

I'll probably try to hit up Lake Killarney (Weyerhauser Fed Way area) this weekend and see if any perch are around.
The lake got hit with weed kill chemicals last year so not too sure on what kind of size they may be this year. Losing all the weeds loses a good amount of insect habitat so who knows...

I'll try and put in a report if I can get my butt and float tube out there :-)

Keep up the perch reports! I love 'em when they're big enough to clean.

[tnj8222]

I'll probably try to hit up Lake Killarney (Weyerhauser Fed Way area) this weekend and see if any perch are around.
The lake got hit with weed kill chemicals last year so not too sure on what kind of size they may be this year. Losing all the weeds loses a good amount of insect habitat so who knows...

I'll try and put in a report if I can get my butt and float tube out there :-)

Keep up the perch reports! I love 'em when they're big enough to clean.

Killarny is my favorite bluegill lake, the right cove at the far end on the lake is loaded with gills. Worm and bobbers will produce bigtime.

[knotabassturd]

tnj- yep definitely good crop of bluegills too but size varies year to year (same with perch). And occasionally monstrous LMB too LOL. C&Rd a couple doozies out of there off worm, bobber, and light tackle (incidentally caught trying to fish for perch). Get some occassional trout too but mostly perch and bluegills.

I have had best luck with bluegills around dusk, while the perch luck is during the day. Bluegill fishing may be a bit slow right now with the fish maybe around spawn? Not sure. Don't know what impact last year's chemical treatments may have had on lake either (haven't been there yet this year). For me the gills have been spotty this time of year. Flyfishing for them later in summer can be fun too out there around the lily pads.
I usually fish the south end of lake. Think snake7676 has done well on perch in the south end of lake.

Haven't really tried the north body of water for perch and bluegills. Have U tried there before?

[knotabassturd]

I went to a local lake Sunday (Killarney) and it was slow still. Water's still pretty cool even in Killarney (shallow lake so warms quicker).
Got 11 fish but the biggest was only 8 1/2 inches and the next only about 7. The rest were maybe 4"-6"dinks.
No bluegill but I didn't try for them. No trout either. I sometimes pick up a stocker or holdover when trying to get perch.
All in all a very slow day out there.