Lake Erie perch fishing

Thinking of making a few trips to Erie this year to get some perch fillets for my gut. Can anyone tell me when the best time is to go? Are the fish inshore as early as late April in the Port Dover/Burwell area? How about depths to fish? I've heard about 40' over a sand bottom with a pickeral rig and Emerald Shiners.
How far offshore do you have to go? Size of boat needed to be safe? (we have a 16' V-hull with a 40hp) What wind speed
/direction do you want to see on the forecast for a safe day? Do Dover and Burwell have public ramps and launching?

I've heard a saying, that when the lilacs are in bloom, the perch are in Dover

Same applies to the quinte spring fishery. When the lilacs are out in bloom that's when you'll find the spring pickerel bite is the best.

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At Burwell an east wind isn't good.
Just pick your day with lower winds no matter the direction.

Use minnows and 2 hooks per rod.