Heading to Lake Mendota, Madison, WI this weekend and will be targeting deep perch in the 30-70’ range. I haven’t been there since I was a kid using the old school Swiss Reels with pencil weights. We’re meeting some guys and we will have a guide- I just want to be prepared and bring the right gear. I have jigs, spoons, jigging Rapalas, any input on the proper set-up is appreciated.

Our ice is unsafe now,wish it would of stayed a little longer.Sounds like a great time.I would ask the guide what to bring.Take some pics and post them after your trip.

Good luck fishing.

Hali Jigs are go to around here.

That's on my bucket list, ice fishin up north somewhere. Good luck man!!

Have a blast

Post some pictures later.

I bet you'll use waxies

Well If your being guided what did your guide say to use. I would be leaving all the big tackle at home. Small jigs and plastic Is probbaly the way to go.
Do A "Lake Link" search for Mendota.

With these warmer temps there will be lots of slush on the lake so wear the right foot wear. Don't want to put a damper on your trip but It's been a hard bite this year. But If you don't go your won't know. I'll give my buddy a call and see what he suggests you using his handle Is Mendota LOL

Yup... my son is in touch with the guide and I'll know more later- just sorting through rods and tackle today getting organized and ice creepers.
Beav- I'll listen to any guy with a handle "Mendota" lol

Ultra lite gear and spring bobbers Is the way to go. I doubt a guy could catch a perch with a swish rod. And I still have some LOL I haven't been on the ice for years so I'm out of the loop.

Ultra lite gear and spring bobbers Is the way to go. I doubt a guy could catch a perch with a swish rod. And I still have some LOL I haven't been on the ice for years so I'm out of the loop.

Rig up a couple tip downs.I made some this year and they work great if its not so cold that the hole keeps freezing over.

The perch In Lake Mendota a pretty finicky biters that kind of gear won't get It done.

With 50deg weather predicted you won't have to worry about the hole freezing up. But be careful some of those expansion cracks are starting to open up.

Zebra mussels changed the perch fishing in a lot of NY waters and we find them much deeper now. Low stretch braided line with a floro leader is what we use

A no stretch or low stretch line may be needed to catch more fish in waters that deep. Unless the fish are super aggressive. Then it won't matter so much. Keep in mind that fish aren't in aggressive moods most of the time.

Red or gold seems to be the color. And you might think about just using a minnow head on a small jig.

Minnow on an Aberdeen Gold hook

Back In the day we would start out with a salmon egg and after the first perch was caught we started using eyes.

Interesting