Lake St. Clair Perch Charter with Captain Matt

Perch bite through most of the open-water season, but late summer into fall is prime. From August through October the schools group up tightly, the fish put on weight, and limits come quickly. Cooler fall mornings with light wind are about as good as it gets.

Early summer trips work well too, though the schools are more scattered and moving. Wind direction matters a lot on a shallow lake like this — Captain Matt picks the ramp and the flats based on the morning forecast so you are fishing protected, fishable water instead of fighting a chop all day.

The classic setup is a perch spreader rig or a simple crappie rig with two hooks, a sinker on the bottom and live minnows or soft plastics. Light spinning rods make even a nine-inch perch feel like a real fish, and the bite is subtle enough to stay interesting.

Finding the school is the whole game. Captain Matt idles over known flats watching electronics until he marks fish, drops anchor or holds position on the spot, and then it is a matter of keeping baits down. When the school moves, we move — perch trips involve repositioning often, and that is the difference between a slow day and a full cooler.

Captain Matt texts you the meeting ramp the day before. Rods, rigs, bait and safety gear are all on the boat. Runs are usually short, so you are fishing quickly after leaving the dock.

The straight perch trip runs four hours with a target of twenty-five fish per person, which is exactly the length that works for families and younger anglers. Longer 5, 8 and 10 hour charters are available if you want a bigger day, and the combo trip mixes perch with walleye, bass or muskie. Three anglers are included and a fourth can be added.

Your perch are cleaned and bagged before you leave, and you get photos of the catch. Bring food, drinks, layers, sunscreen and a valid fishing license for every angler seventeen and older.