Because yellow perch prefer cooler water, the best fishing is usually in deep water. Yellow perch move about in schools, often numbering in the hundreds and when encountered, provide the angler with fast and furious activity. If one spot is unproductive after a few tries, it is best to move to other spots until a school is located. Anglers also use deadsalted minnows, nightcrawlers, or red worms. Again, minnows are the preferred bait, but some yellow perch are taken on jigging spoons or jigs tipped with waxworms, maggots or worms.
Commercial fishermen catch the yellow perch with gillnets, poundnets, and trapnets.