Licensing

• According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, anglers in southwestern Michigan who are 17 years of age or older must carry a valid fishing license with them at all times, regardless of the type of fish they are catching. Those who are 16 years of age or younger are allowed to fish without a license in southwestern Michigan, though they are expected to obey all of the rules and regulations when doing so. License fees vary depending on the type of license. General fishing licenses issued in southwestern Michigan are valid from March 1 in the year they were issued until March 31 of the following year.
  
  

Perch Bait

• Each seasoned fisherman prefers his or her own bait, but there are two types of common baits that are excellent for perch fishing. Small minnows, wigglers and maggots all make for efficient year-round bait. Night-crawlers, grubs and wax worms may also be used.
  
  

Common Perch

• Yellow perch is the most common type of perch found in southwestern Michigan. This species of fish is easily recognized by its yellow scales that feature six to eight vertical black stripes.
  
  

Where To Find Perch

• There are dozens of locations in southwestern Michigan that are suitable for perch fishing. This includes Lake Michigan as well as inland lakes located in Allegan, Barry, Kalamazoo, Van Buren, St. Joseph, Branch, Cass and Berrien counties.
  
  

Perch Fishing On Border Lakes

• Some lakes span both southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana, and are open to anglers with licenses issued in either Michigan or Indiana. These lakes include Clear Lake in Berrien County, Indiana Lake in Cass County, Lake George in Branch County and Fish Lake in St. Joseph County, all of which contain perch.
  
  

Free Fishing Weekends

• Free fishing weekends are offered twice a year in the state of Michigan. This allows all residents and out-of-state guests a weekend of fishing without a license. Every lake in and around the state of Michigan is included in these free fishing weekends, as is every species of fish, though all rules and regulations are to be followed at all times during these free fishing weekends.