Thread: NWR Perch Bash......pre poll discussion please

I certainly don't have all the answers, but I do know Bob's holds an open bass tournament every Saturday of the year from safe light until 3 p.m. They have also started a Sunday winter afternoon tourney (on select dates) that runs from 1-5 p.m. However, the bash is normally on a Saturday.

In general, I usually start catching nice perch down there this time of the year. While the majority spawn in February, I've caught spawners from late December through March. The full moon can be a good time for spawning, but my experience shows that it's a drawn-out affair. It's really a crap shoot on the timing of the event. Take last year as an example, the river was so muddy for much of the perch season that the fishing was really hit-or-miss. However, that hasn't been the issue this year - so far.

I have not noticed any single period to be best when it comes to big perch. Keep in mind that by February, you have some fish that have already spawned, some spawning, and some still in pre-spawn.

I agree with Kevin! I have fished it quite a bit for the last few years and it is very unpredictable even from day to day. I remember 3 or 4 years back Kevin and I caught as many as we wanted the few days leading up to the tournament then the day of the tournment it was hard to even get a few bites. Just dont add a grinel catagory this year because Kevin will clean house LOL!! The 15th and 16th of both Feb and Mar are the full moon weekends. We could also do the New Moon on March 1st. Really depends on weather and I hear it is supposed to be a cold winter this year.

According to official resources the best fishing time is between a new and full moon. In this case that would be Jan 30 - Feb 14 or Mar 1 - 16. Spawning activity takes place at night. February or early March when water temperatures reach 45° to 50°F.

45°-50° ? Wonder if that is warming back to that temperature or what? In Feb, isn't it in the upper 30° all thru there? I agree that I think we are in for a cold one this year. Gonna be breaking ice like 3 years ago.

Can add much except the answer to the obvious question, yes Dayton, your out $5.00.

Originally Posted by Kevin M

I certainly don't have all the answers, but I do know Bob's holds an open bass tournament every Saturday of the year from safe light until 3 p.m. They have also started a Sunday winter afternoon tourney (on select dates) that runs from 1-5 p.m. However, the bash is normally on a Saturday.

In general, I usually start catching nice perch down there this time of the year. While the majority spawn in February, I've caught spawners from late December through March. The full moon can be a good time for spawning, but my experience shows that it's a drawn-out affair. It's really a crap shoot on the timing of the event. Take last year as an example, the river was so muddy for much of the perch season that the fishing was really hit-or-miss. However, that hasn't been the issue this year - so far.

I have not noticed any single period to be best when it comes to big perch. Keep in mind that by February, you have some fish that have already spawned, some spawning, and some still in pre-spawn.

While the majority spawn in February... it's a drawn-out affair. It's really a crap shoot on the timing of the event." That river for me is all about water clarity, IF the fish can see your jig it can be caught. Muddy water is a tough day. This year looks like its going to be a cold one, that river ices up in January sometimes. I think we have broke ice at least twice doing the bash.

I know i broke a transducer off my boat in the ice 3 years ago it was thick. That was late Feb

Weather predictions

Feb 2014: Avg temp 41° which is 5° below avg. Precipitation 3" which is 1.5 below avg.
Feb 1-6 showers then sunny and cold
Feb 7-14 periods of rain and snow then sunny and cold
Feb 15-20 rain then sunny and cold
Feb 21-26 rain to snow then sunny and cold
Feb 27-28 rainy and cool

Mar 2014 Avg temp 52° which is 3° below avg. precipitation 3.5" which is 1" below avg
Mar 1-8 showers then sunny and cold
Mar 9-14 Rain then sunny and warm
Mar 15-21 Rain then sunny and cool
Mar 22-27 sunny turning warm
Mar 28-31 rainy period turning cool