White Perch Spawning Runs Have Begun

Type: Tidal
Region: Southern
Location: Severn River

I decided to get out on my kayak on Tuesday 5/5 to see if the white perch were moving into the upper portions of tidal rivers to spawn. I was fishing the upper portion of the Severn River. At first, I was using my favorite 2 inch triple ripple grubs on a 1/16th oz jig head with little success. A few fish went after them, but wouldn't stay on the hook. On my other rod, I had a half of a nightcrawler sitting on the bottom. I went to reel in that rod to make sure the nightcrawler was still on, and when I was reeling it in, this small white perch went after it. This guy was a male. I could tell because I kinda interrupted him while he was spawning, so I let him go finish his thing. Then I decided to put a half of a nightcrawler on my jig head to see if that would work. I ended up catching a beautiful pumpkinseed slow retrieving it and then a chain pickerel vertical jigging it over a submerged branch. The pickerel was the first one I have ever caught and it measured in at 15 inches. I only managed to catch the one perch, but I got a fun variety and it is a sign of things to come as the water continues to heat up.