Perch A Plenty
by Gary Engberg

The perch fishing on Madison's Lake Mendota has been good when there is ice and the ice fishing for these tasty morsels should be particularly good this winter. The up and down temperatures and rains this spring and summer slowed down the bite and staying with the schools has been difficult. This winter perch fishing should be good this year.. The big lake of Mendota should freeze by Christmas and the hot bite shouldn't be far behind.

This year there should be plenty of fish in the 9 to 12 inch range and once you find these fish you can catch a limit of 25 in a few hours. The last few winters have been up and down. Last winter, the perch bite didn't happen because of lack of ice. The only major problem this year, is that to get to these fish you have a mile to a mile and a half walk across the ice. Unless, you have a fully equipped four-wheeler with safety floatation devices and inspected by the Sheriff's Department, the best way to fish Lake Mendota in the winter is to hook up with D&S Bait on Northport Drive in Madison, Wisconsin.

D&S rents quality shacks that include; a lazer ice auger, up to 6 fully rigged rods, a heated shack which is warm even when the temperature outside is below zero, holes drilled in your shack, a comfortable ride out and back from the shacks, and helpful hints and tips. The price is $35.00 per person with a $100.00 minimum. This is very reasonable considering all the extras. If nothing else ride out and back is well worth the $10.00 charge if you out-fit yourself and fish in your own shanty.

If you rent a shack all you have to do is light the propane heater and start fishing. You can find the perch usually over 50 to 70 feet of water. This seems to be where the big schools always are.. When fishing this deep water, good electronics are a must. As soon as the transducer was put in the water, fish lit up the screen. Vexilar seems to be the best flasher on the market. The larger fish were `suspended and moving around, as always is the case with perch. On any given day, you can find perch up and down the whole water column. I found larger fish up high in the water and smaller fish on the bottom most of the time. Experiment and believe in your electronics. The schools of perch move around, so be patient. On nice day, it's easier to move around and try a few new holes if yours have slowed done. Sometimes, moving just a few feet can make the difference in catching fish and not.

To fish perch in this deep water, one needs a fairly stiff rod so that you can set a hook .Pencil weights, in-line sinkers, and copper tubes are a must to be able to get your bait down in this deep water to the schools of hungry perch. Wax worms and spikes are the best baits. Waxies seem to stay on the hook better. Little pieces of plastic called noodles help and then load your jig with bait. Rockers, rat finkies, and small Bait Rigs jigs work well. (The new Cobra is worth a try.)

The lake should freeze by Christmas and fishing is good till ice out. I highly recommend D&S Bait and it's equipment and guides. Call and ask for Gene for top-notch service. Their " fishing hotline " is (608) 241-4225 or call me at (608) 795-4208.