- The first full moon of spring is also known as the “Pink Moon” – can it affect fishing? Yes.
- The fishing gear technology includes forward-facing sonar, which may be the latest and greatest tool for finding fish.
- A simple wire spreader rig, 1-ounce sinker, and size 2 or 4 thin wire hooks (Eagle Claw Model 202) on a leader with emerald shiner minnows – that’s the hot set-up.
By Forrest Fisher
Winter anglers savored auguring holes on Lake Erie for the first time in several years to enjoy ice fishing in 2025. With frequent discussion of global warming effects, the ice was a pleasant surprise. Who can ever presume to understand all the elements that create our weather? Each day, each week, each month, each year, there are new meteorological factors that affect our weather. Last month, the first full moon of spring, also known as the “Pink Moon,” took part in the annual cycle. Hunters, fishermen, trappers, hikers, campers, and many other groups all have reservations and notions about the effects of the full moon. Old-timers believe the full moon impacts spring fishing in Lake Erie, especially for jumbo yellow perch – many theories are up for debate. Some of them are solid.
At this time of year, the yellow perch of Eastern Lake Erie, the deep end of the lake, are in or near their annual spawning ritual. Their spawn usually occurs when the water temperature is between 45 and 50 degrees. Some believe that the full moon can trigger or enhance spawning activity, making perch more focused on reproduction than their next meal during the full moon period. If the sky is clear, the nighttime light is brighter, of course, and some say this makes fish more cautious, especially in clear water like we have in Lake Erie. Of course, anglers can switch to lighter lines and take advantage of targeting finicky perch during the daytime of a full moon phase.
Fishing rigs are not complicated, but on some days, the fish can make you feel that we need more variations that we can understand. The perch or crappie wire spreader rig with a 1-ounce sinker on the bottom and size 2 or 4 thin wire hooks (Eagle Claw Model 202) on a leader with emerald shiners is ordinary among Lake Erie perch fishing rigs.
The sinker size can vary depending on the bottom currents in the lake. My favorite is a triple surgeon knot rig (or double drop-loop rig) that mimics the same spreader rig idea without using wire.
It’s time to add change when the fish are noted on the sonar and will not bite. Some anglers try colored beads on their leaders, or add glow tips, or switch to a drop-shot rig with a smaller hook and a half-shiner. On some days, it can matter. Your sonar can matter too, for locating the perch schools.
Captain Rob Ebersole (Scary Good Sportfishing, 716-713-9696) is anticipating a great year for early-season yellow perch and, later, for walleye. Ebersole tries to keep up with modern gear, upgrading with the newest and latest electronics and fishing gear technology, including a Garmin Live Scope. Forward-facing sonar may be the latest and greatest tool for finding fish; it can even identify fish sizes and numbers in a school. He fishes from his fully-rigged 21-foot Starcraft Fishmaster. Like many charter captains, he will fish for perch, smallmouth bass and walleye as the seasons evolve.
Captain Daryl Glasner (CEO Guide Service, 716-462-8632) is ready for the spring perch season with open dates, but don’t wait too long to book. Glasner, like other captains at this time of year, offers a 10 percent discount from the regular rate. Many anglers stop in and chat about fishing with Glasner at his Weber City Barber Shop on Route 16 in Arcade, New York.
Captain Tom Miranda (Pole-Dancer Sportfishing, 716-531-6683) recently brought in 70 jumbo perch while checking out his rig. Miranda shared that Hanover has installed their docks at the town launch on Cattaraugus Creek, and he suggests to all boaters that with very low water levels this spring, to trim up motors before launching and to be watchful on the journey from launch to the lake (about 1/2 mile). The restrooms and cleaning station will open soon. Miranda uses a new Engel Live Bait Cooler (www.englecoolers.com) that he acquired at Doc’s Tackle (https://229bass.com, 585-229-2277) while fishing in the Cayuga Lake “King of Spring” perch tournament last weekend. The unit is powered by a lithium-ion battery aerator that can last the whole day to keep minnows lively.
Launching at Cattaraugus Creek, retired charter captain Bob Rustowicz and his buddy Tom Slawatycki ran out of bait, catching 80 perch up to 13-inches. April and May foshing in Eastern Basin Lake Erie for Yellow Perch is an amazing experience, They were fishing in 50-60 feet of water straight out from Sunset Bay beach with emerald shiners. Rustowicz reiterated what Captain Miranda said: that everyone needs to watch the depth coming out of the Catt; it’s two feet lower than normal. Rustowicz said, “Some spots were just 2.4 feet deep.”
When all is said and done, the fish are cleaned, and the fillets are ready for cooking, one option we enjoy is making yellow perch paddy cakes, also known as perch-burgers. Just add a few fillets to a blender or food processor for a few seconds in with one or two eggs, chopped sweet onion, a little green pepper, chopped celery, and some breadcrumbs – to adjust thickness. Add salt, pepper and/or seasonings of your choice. Form them into the shape of choice (burger shape) and place them into the pan with oil at about 375F. They taste so good or a fresh hard roll with a slice of your favorite cheese, a thin slice of sweet onion, lettuce, and some mayo.
Yes, it’s a different sort of fish meal treat. We’ve tried this basic recipe using a few tablespoons of Campbell’s cream of mushroom soup in the blender mix too. Delicious. Here is to hoping for calm seas and sunshine skies for your njext trip out to find Eastern Lake Erie JUMBO PERCH.
Gotta love the outdoors.