White perch wonderland

Lake Waccamaw’s white perch are plentiful and tasty

Lake Waccamaw, nestled in southeastern North Carolina, is a hotspot for white perch fishing, even during the warm, muggy days of August. While the heat may drive some anglers off the water, seasoned perch chasers know this time of year can yield fast action and heavy stringers if you know where to look, and what to look for. Beyond the standard jigging and live bait techniques, several lesser-known tactics can give you an edge when targeting white perch on this unique coastal lake.

Best Times and Spots

White perch tend to school up in deeper waters during the heat of the day but often push into mid-depths in the early morning and late evening to feed. Key areas include points near the state park, old creek channels, and the deeper water near the lake’s middle. Fish finders are helpful, but sometimes watching for surface flickers can clue you in on perch feeding activity just below the surface.

Micro dropshot

While dropshot rigs are more commonly associated with bass fishing, they work wonders for white perch when paired with micro soft plastics. Use a small bait, like a 1-inch minnow imitation or even a piece of scented artificial worm. Suspend the bait just above the bottom or near suspended schools, and give it a subtle shake. This setup shines in 10 to 15 feet of water where perch tend to suspend in the heat.

Cut bait cocktail

Try tipping your jig or spoon with a small sliver of cut white perch meat or shrimp. The added scent and flash from the skin can out-fish live minnows on tough days. Just a thin strip can make a big difference in getting picky fish to commit.

Troll a crankbait

While white perch aren’t often targeted by trolling, it can be a killer strategy. Pulling small shad-style crankbaits at 1 to 1.5 mph through mid-depth water can help you locate scattered schools quickly. Silver or chartreuse patterns work best, especially in slightly stained conditions.

Fishin’ in the dark

Fishing under dock lights or with a floating green light can turn a slow evening into a feeding frenzy. Lights attract baitfish, which in turn draw in white perch. Once the fish arrive, drop small jigs or minnows vertically just outside the glow for near-instant hookups.

Double it up

Use a double rig with small feather or marabou jigs, spaced 12 to 18 inches apart. This allows you to imitate schooling baitfish and sometimes catch two perch on one drop. It’s a great technique for vertical jigging when schools are tight.

White perch are not only abundant, but also excellent on the table. Their light, flaky fillets are perfect for frying, baking, or even making fish cakes. With no creel limit in Lake Waccamaw, anglers are free to harvest generously. And if you’re not interested in eating them, they also make great bait for catfish.

With the right strategies and a bit of patience, Lake Waccamaw can reward you with some of the best white perch fishing in the Carolinas. Whether you’re jigging at dawn, trolling through the heat, or lighting up the night, these tactics will give you an edge in landing a bucket full of summer action.