Question about winter/ice fishing species

[BridgerM]

This may be a dumb or noob question. It seems most people, or at least posts reference ice fishing for perch or crappie. And of course trout and some other species. But perch and crappie seem most popular during the winter and not really popular to target during the warmer months.

Why is that?
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[brookieguy1]

Because you can't get to the brook trout lakes in winter very easily, and most good ones are closed.[]
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[Kent]

Probably because ice makes the fish more accessible to those who aren't blessed to have access to a boat.
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[fishfighter91]

For me the biggest reasons for the increased interest are #1 my grandfather who first took me ice fishing was a dedicated perch jerker ( before it was cool [:p]) and so it brings back a lot of memories. and #2 and possibly the more important reason is for the finesse required on those light bite days. Even with a wire or spring bobber there are bites that barely move the bead. that means that if you were to be on any sort of unstable craft in anything less than glass conditions you'd never see it. but there are some definite year round perch jerkers on here too. Just depends on what you're into. Just my 2 cents,
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[BridgerM]

Three replies and three different explanations. haha. And each one makes sense.

I thought there might be a few reasons. but wondered specifically if there was a biological reason for more perch targeting in winter vs the rest of the year.

These were my guesses
1. Other fish like bass, muskie or other warm species are less active and harder to catch during winter
2. Perch are more numerous and easier to catch
3. You can't have muskie tacos.

That leads me to a followup question:
if you target a certain species ice fishing, why that one?
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[CoyoteSpinner]

You've had good responses. I think certainly - accessibility is key. As stated - the deck is solid, so you can get right on top of 'em. They school up well in cold water, and can be quite active at times. Panfish of all types, though catching bass, muskie, pike - walleye - it all happens thru the ice.

But I don't think there's a shortage of perch targetters in other seasons. I'll fish for 'em spring summer and fall too. Had some of my best stringer fulls on fall trips with the dropshot.