Mustad I fish for perch and bluegills/ sunnies and crappie almost every day all winter. If you are after perch then a small 30"-36"jigging pole with a spinning reel with 6-8 pound test is the way to go. I use weighted perch bibits in assorted colors as the lure. They are small leaded single hooks that are painted and they sink back real fast. Run them to the bottom and shake them a few times and you will feel the bump and set the hook. You don't need to use any bait with them. The color usually will seal the deal and it is good to have a bunch to try. I have real good luck on brown, silver, red, pink, chatreuse, and orange bibits. I fish Champlain but there are some great perch grounds on Magog too. Some if not all of the ponds and lakes up where you are will have them. The best thing would be to have an experianced fisherman up there take you out and show you the ropes.If there are guys pulling perch it is good to give them a little room when you make your holes. I like a 4 1/2" manual ice auger for perch. I use a 6" power auger for sunnies and crappie. I usually cut a hole or two until I find them then cut about 4-6 more in a circle around the spot. When the bite drys up in one hole switch to another and try to follow the school. I won't be fishing until Tuesday this week because my daughter is up from Virginia for a visit. Good luck....CI