perch in winter

They are in the shallows along shore until the ice locks up. My experience with them, they seem to only want minnows when the water is freezing and your fingers freeze instantly… Rubber gloves help. They seem to be a light switch too. Won’t get a nibble for hours, then every cast will get a bite for 1/2 hour, then nothing. Can be in as little as 6” of water too. I’m not sure if deer rifle season is still going on, but be very careful. Much of the lake has hunters that come right up to the water. Wear some bright orange. The wind plays a huge role too. Sometimes they just suck on your bait and move your bobber a little. When windy/choppy you can’t really tell. And even if it says high of 50, feels like 40 with the air close to the 35 degree water moving. Good luck if you go.