Best Bait & Lure Colors for Perch Fishing (Complete Guide)

Picking the right bait colors based on the fishing conditions can determine your success in catching perch or returning empty-handed. So what are the optimal bait colors to use when targeting perch?

The best bait colors for perch depend on the fishing conditions. In clear water and sunny conditions, natural colors like ghost, clear, browns, and olives are effective. Under overcast skies or muddy water, bright colors like whites, chartreuses, and reds tend to work better.

In this article, we will break down the best colors for each light, water clarity, and time of day condition you will face when perch fishing.

Click here to learn the best water temperature for perch fishing. This comprehensive guide will break down the best water temperatures for yellow perch in every season.

Seasonal Breakdown: Bait Colors

Winter

When perch are more lethargic in winter, it’s best to use smaller lures with natural colors like silver, gold, and white. Some effective lures for winter perch fishing include the Kastmaster spoon in silver or gold and the Berkley Gulp Minnow in white or chartreuse.

Spring

In spring, perch are more active and can be caught with various colors. Some effective options for soft plastics include green pumpkin, watermelon, and chartreuse. Try using silver or gold spinners or crankbaits with a perch pattern for hard baits. Sizes can vary depending on the size of the perch and the fishing conditions.

Summer

For perch fishing in the summer, the best bait colors are typically bright and flashy, such as chartreuse, yellow, and orange. Recommended lures for perch fishing in the summer include the Rapala Ultra Light Crank, Mepps Aglia Spinner, and Berkley Gulp! Alive Minnow. Opt for sizes of 1/16 to 1/8 ounce for best results.

Fall

During the fall, perch tend to feed aggressively, and darker colors like black, brown, and purple are great choices. Lures like the Rapala Ultra Light Shad in “brown trout” or the Storm Wildeye Live Perch in “natural perch” color and size 2-3 inches can effectively catch perch during this season.

Click here to learn the best baits for yellow perch fishing.

Ice Fishing Colors for Perch

For ice fishing, bright and flashy colors like chartreuse, pink, and orange are effective for attracting perch. Some popular lures for ice fishing perch include the Swedish Pimple, Hali Jig, and Northland Forage Minnow. Sizes around 1/8 to 1/4 ounce are usually effective.

Yellow Perch vs. White Perch: Color Preferences

For yellow perch, natural colors like brown, green, and yellow work well, as well as bright colors like chartreuse and orange in low-light conditions. Jigs like the Hali Sukkula Jig and the Lindy Fuzz-E Grub in sizes 1/16 to 1/8 oz, and soft plastics like the Berkley PowerBait Power Grub and the Strike King Mr. Crappie Grub in 2-3 inch sizes are effective.

Similar natural and bright colors work for white perch, but they tend to prefer smaller baits in the 1-2 inch range. Examples of effective lures include the Kastmaster Spoon and the Zoom Tiny Fluke.

Perch Color Guidelines

The color of bait is an important factor when it comes to perch fishing. Perch have excellent vision and are sensitive to color, so choosing the right color can make a difference in your success.

The right color can attract fish to bite, while the wrong color can make them ignore your bait. It’s important to match the color of your bait to the water conditions and the behavior of the fish.

Water Clarity & Bait Colors

Choosing the right bait color based on water clarity is important for perch fishing as it can increase the visibility of the bait to the fish, increasing the chances of a successful catch. Brighter colors work well in murky water while more natural colors work better in clearer water.

Clear Water Perch Fishing: Color Selection

In clear water, natural colors like silver, gold, brown, and green can be effective for catching perch. Additionally, translucent colors like clear or white can also be effective as they mimic the appearance of small baitfish.

Muddy Water Perch Fishing: Color Selection

In muddy water, perch tend to rely on their sense of vibration and sound rather than their vision, so it’s best to use brightly colored lures that will create a lot of movement and vibration to attract their attention. Some effective colors for muddy water perch fishing include chartreuse, pink, and orange.

Light Conditions & Bait Colors

The importance of selecting the right bait colors for perch fishing can be influenced by light conditions. In bright, sunny conditions, brighter colors like chartreuse and white can be more effective, while in low light or overcast conditions, natural colors like browns and greens can be more effective.

Clear, Sunny Perch Fishing: Color Selection

For bright, sunny day perch fishing, using natural colors like green pumpkin or watermelon with a hint of orange or red can be effective. The Zoom Trick Worm in green pumpkin/red flake or the Strike King Bitsy Minnow in crawfish color can be good choices in 2-3 inch sizes.

Cloudy/Overcast Perch Fishing: Color Selection

Cloudy or overcast conditions can reduce visibility in the water, so using brighter colors can help attract perch. For soft plastics, try using bright colors such as chartreuse or pink. For hard baits, a silver or gold blade with a bright accent color such as orange or red can be effective.

Specific bait recommendations include the Northland Tackle Mimic Minnow Shad in chartreuse or pink, or the Mepps Aglia Spinner in silver with a red or orange accent.

Night Perch Fishing: Color Selection

For night perch fishing, it’s recommended to use dark-colored lures like black, brown, or dark green, which will contrast well with the low light conditions.

Examples of effective lures for night perch fishing include the Rapala Jigging Rap in black or brown, and the Northland Tackle Forage Minnow in dark green or black, both in sizes 1/8 to 1/4 oz.

Perch Behavior & Bait Colors

The importance of selecting visible baits for perch fishing is dependent on the behavior and activity level of the fish. In low activity levels, natural or subtle colors are more effective, while bright and flashy colors work well in higher activity levels.

Best Colors for Active Feeding Times (early mornings & late afternoons)

During peak perch fishing daily windows, it is recommended to use natural colors such as brown, green, and black. Effective baits include jigs, grubs, and worms in sizes ranging from 1 to 3 inches.

Best Colors for Slow Feeding Times (middle of the day & early afternoons)

During less active perch fishing windows, natural colors like greens, browns, and yellows tend to work better. Soft plastic lures such as the Gary Yamamoto Senko or Zoom Trick Worm in natural colors, along with small jigs like the Northland Tackle Fire-Ball Jig in green or brown, can be effective during these times.

Natural Colors for Perch

Natural colors can be highly effective for perch fishing, particularly in clear water and sunny conditions. Colors like brown, olive, and green can closely mimic the appearance of natural prey and vegetation, making them a good choice for lures and baits.

Using natural colors in combination with slow and subtle presentation can also be effective for less active perch. For soft plastic baits, the Zoom Trick Worm in green pumpkin or watermelon candy can be a good choice, while for hard baits, the Rapala Original Floater in perch or natural minnow can be effective.

Bright/Bold Colors for Perch

Bright colors can be highly effective for perch fishing, especially in murky or stained water or during low-light conditions. The best bright colors to use for perch fishing are usually chartreuse, orange, and pink.

To use bright colors effectively, try varying your retrieval speed or using a stop-and-go retrieve to trigger strikes. Additionally, consider using a scent attractant to enhance the effectiveness of your brightly colored bait.

UV Colors for Perch

UV colors can be effective in murky or stained water when regular colors may not be as visible to perch. Best UV colors for perch fishing include shades of green, yellow, and orange.

Techniques for using UV colors effectively include using them in low light conditions and pairing them with natural or contrasting colors to create a more attractive presentation. Additionally, some anglers recommend using UV-reflective tapes or paints on lures to enhance their effectiveness.

10 Bait Color Selection Tips for Perch

1. Use a Gulp! Alive! Minnow in colors like smelt, emerald shiner, or chartreuse shad.
2. Use natural colors like browns, greens, and tans in clear water.
3. In murky water, use brighter colors like chartreuse, orange, and white.
4. Use dark colors like black and purple in low-light conditions.
5. Choose lure colors that match the perch’s natural prey.
6. Use smaller bait in clear water and larger bait in murky water.
7. Use a contrasting color on the tail of your bait to make it stand out.
8. Use a lighter color on the belly of your bait to mimic a fish’s natural underside.
9. Consider using a two-tone bait, with a darker top and lighter bottom.
10. Use a neon-colored jig head to attract attention in murky water.