what is the best lure for catching yellow perch this time of year in Ontario

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**Best lure for yellow perch in Ontario this time of year (mid fall)**

**Bottom line:** use a small jig tipped with live bait or a tiny soft-plastic lure. Perch love the subtle, compact presentation in fall when they’re schooling near weedlines and drop-offs.

**Two go-to setups**
- **Jig + live minnow:** 1/16 oz or 1/32 oz jig head, tipped with a shiner or fathead minnow. Cast or straight-down jig to 8–15 ft and use slow, short lifts with a pause.
- **Mini soft-plastic on a jig head:** 2–3 inch soft minnow or grub on a 1/16 oz jig head. Color options: chartreuse, pink, or white; work along weed edges or shallow flats as temps drop.

**Colors and gear tips**
- In fall, water can be stained. Go bright: chartreuse, glow, or pink on cloudy days.
- In clearer fall water, natural minnow tones also work. Keep it light—perch bites are usually finesse-driven this time of year.
- Rod/reel: light spinning gear (6–7 ft), 4–6 lb line; keep a loose line to feel subtle taps.

**Where to present it**
- Focus on weedlines, shallow bays, and nearby drop-offs where perch school up in autumn.
- Early fall bite windows often peak late in the day when sun warms the shallows; windy eves can also push prey to edges.

**Retrieval patterns**
- Jig straight down, then lift a few inches and pause; repeat slowly to imitate a hesitant baitfish.
- If using a minnow, you can also try a slow, constant jig with occasional small twitches to provoke a strike.

**Weather note (mid fall Ontario)**
- Shorter days and cooler water mean bite windows shift; look for sun on the water during mid/late afternoon to unlock schooling perch.
- Fronts can slow or shift bites; when a warm front arrives, perch often bite more readily as temps rise briefly.

**Quick video and gear ideas**
- See perch action and rigging in this perch-focused clip: [The Best Perch Fishing spot](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GviI-KjG0_c)
- Lure ideas you can grab now:
  - [TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [Fishing Lures Multi Jointed Fish Fishing Kits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J4CR24K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)
  - [HALYXS 7 pcs - Soft Minnow](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTTBYPFH?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1)

**Bottom line:** small jig setups with minnows or tiny soft-plastics, fished slowly and precisely along weed edges and drop-offs, are your best bet for yellow perch this fall in Ontario. Tight lines and good luck! 🐟💥

🎣 Ontario, Canada

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