Yellow Perch?

[JR Martinez]

I can't really seem to confirm their presence even though I have seen there are populations but then again I have also read there aren't.

Does anybody have any info on this? And if they do exist in the state, where are they located and are there places fairly close to Sacramento?

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Sacramento Perch

This might be what you have seen around here know to reach almost 8 pounds.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_perch

I believe they are in Pyramid Lake near Reno, Nevada too.

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Yellow Perch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellow_perch

[Tony Buzolich]

I think what you are talking about is available at Copco Lake. Upstream of the Klamath above I-5 is Copco. Long ways to go for a perch.

A while back Angler West TV did a show on catching perch there.
Tony

[aaron]

In the past they've recommended not eating them out of Copco, not sure if still the case. I've fished it a few times, there's a ton but all are on the small side, not many eating size.

[MTaylor]

Both Copco and Irongate have lots. Easy to catch. Bring a big bucket.

[JR Martinez]

So they're all up near the Oregon border?

[golfish]

Great eating fish, pain in the ass to clean for what you get but if you're gonna fire up the frier, do it up! Here's about 45 mins work off my dock on Copco, Memorial weekend...caught with a 6126 used as a tenkara rod and some shad flies, LOL

[Nick B]

Yellow perch are probably the best tasting freshwater fish I've ever had (beating out crappie and Sacramento perch)-excellent table fair.

Those Klamath River reservoirs (like Copco and Iron Gate) do have perch which seem to average about 7-8". Those lakes do have issues with Microcystis in the summers. Microcystis is a blue-green algae that produces a toxin that accumulates in the fishes' meat as the growing season goes on (the toxin levels drop after the algae bloom ends). From what I've seen on those rivers, I would not eat fish from those lakes after June or so...

The 'other' perch we have around here is the Sacramento perch, which is actually a relative of crappie and rock bass (not a 'true' perch). I would have to say Sacramento perch are the second best eatin' fish around here. The best place to catch them is Crowley Lake, and the best time is right about now. They seem to average about a pound. Most people use spinning rods and jig for them, but fishing a streamer near the bottom under an indicator works almost as well.

Either way, it looks like a 4-5 hour drive to catch either species. Bring coolers and buckets, and good luck!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Thanks Nick......

He worked for us some while attending college but is now working for the CA DF&W.



What perch is in Pyramid Lake near Reno, Nevada?

[JR Martinez]

I knew about the Sacramento Perch but was just curious about Yellow Perch because it's one of the fish I've heard about since I was a kid and know CA has had almost every freshwater fish known in America into it's waters with the exception being fish like pike, muskies, walleye and some I'm sure I'm missing.

I also rarely keep fish unless the people I'm camping or fishing with want them to eat or you can tell they're not gonna make it (mainly hatchery fish), all others are released