Episodes

  • A Chilly Walleye and Perch Bite on Lake St. Clair

    A Chilly Walleye and Perch Bite on Lake St. Clair
    Nov 24 2024
    As of November 24, 2024, here’s a local’s perspective on the fishing conditions at Lake St. Clair, Michigan.

    First off, the weather is quite chilly, with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:50 PM. The winds are moderate, coming from the northwest at about 10-15 mph, which can affect the water conditions but is manageable for most anglers.

    Tidal influences are minimal on Lake St. Clair since it is a freshwater lake, but water levels can fluctuate slightly due to wind and precipitation.

    Fish activity has been steady, particularly for walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass. Yesterday, several anglers reported catching walleyes in the 2-4 pound range, mainly using jigs with minnows or leeches. Perch fishing has also been good, with anglers catching them in the 8-12 inch range using small jigs tipped with maggots or minnows.

    For walleye, the best lures to use are jigs with live bait such as minnows or leeches. For perch, small jigs or tiny spoons tipped with maggots or minnows are effective. Smallmouth bass can be caught using soft plastics like curly tail grubs or crankbaits.

    Hot spots include the areas around Harsens Island, the Mile Roads, and Anchor Bay. These areas tend to hold a good population of walleye and perch, especially during the cooler months. The drop-offs and weed beds in these areas are particularly productive.

    Overall, it’s a great time to be out on Lake St. Clair, with the cooler temperatures bringing the fish into more predictable patterns. Just make sure to bundle up and stay warm.
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    2 mins
  • Late Fall Fishing on Lake St. Clair: Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Bass Thrive in Comfortable Conditions

    Late Fall Fishing on Lake St. Clair: Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Bass Thrive in Comfortable Conditions
    Nov 23 2024
    As of November 23, 2024, here’s a local's perspective on the fishing conditions at Lake St. Clair, Michigan:

    Today, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit, making it a typical late fall day. Sunrise is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:45 PM.

    Tidal conditions, although not as significant on Lake St. Clair as on coastal waters, are influenced by the Detroit River. However, the water levels and currents can still affect fishing, especially near the river mouth.

    Yesterday's fishing reports indicated a decent day for anglers. Fish activity has been steady, particularly for walleye and perch. Several anglers reported catching a good number of walleyes, especially in the deeper waters near the Detroit River and around Harsens Island. Perch fishing has also been productive, with many anglers finding success in the shallower bays and weed beds.

    For walleye, jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers are working well. Some anglers are also using crankbaits and spinner rigs to good effect. For perch, small jigs with maggots or small minnows are the go-to choices.

    Smallmouth bass are still active, especially in the cooler temperatures. Using lures like the Great Lakes Finesse drop worm, particularly in green pumpkin with purple flake, has been successful in finding bass in the deeper weed patches.

    Hot spots include the areas around Harsens Island, the Detroit River mouth, and the shallow bays like Anchor Bay. These areas tend to hold a mix of walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass.

    Overall, it's a great time to be out on Lake St. Clair, with a variety of species active and the cooler weather making for comfortable fishing conditions. Just make sure to bundle up and stay warm.
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    2 mins
  • Fall Fishing Report for Lake St. Clair, Michigan: Steady Walleye and Perch Catches Amidst Changing Conditions

    Fall Fishing Report for Lake St. Clair, Michigan: Steady Walleye and Perch Catches Amidst Changing Conditions
    Nov 22 2024
    As of November 22, 2024, here’s a local’s perspective on the fishing conditions at Lake St. Clair, Michigan.

    First off, the weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid-30s to mid-40s Fahrenheit, which is typical for this time of year. Sunrise was at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at about 4:50 PM.

    Tidal conditions, although not as critical for inland lakes like Lake St. Clair, are influenced by the water levels of the connecting Great Lakes. Currently, water levels are stable, but it's always a good idea to check local reports for any changes.

    Yesterday's fishing reports indicated a decent day for anglers. Fish activity has been steady, particularly for walleye and perch. Several anglers reported catching a good number of walleyes, with some reaching up to 20 inches in length. Perch were also plentiful, with many anglers filling their limits.

    For walleye, the best lures to use right now are jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers. Some anglers have also had success with crankbaits, especially those that mimic baitfish. For perch, small jigs with maggots or tiny crankbaits are working well.

    Hot spots include the areas around Harsens Island and the channels near Anchor Bay. These spots have been producing consistent results for both walleye and perch. Another good spot is the Mile Roads, especially for smallmouth bass, although the bass activity has slowed down a bit with the colder temperatures.

    Remember to check your gear before you head out, as the colder weather can affect your equipment. Also, be mindful of the changing weather conditions, as wind and rain can quickly alter fishing conditions on Lake St. Clair.

    Overall, it's a great time to get out on the water and enjoy some fall fishing on Lake St. Clair.
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    2 mins
  • "Chilly Fishing Conditions at Lake St. Clair: Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Bass Thriving"

    "Chilly Fishing Conditions at Lake St. Clair: Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Bass Thriving"
    Nov 21 2024
    As of November 21, 2024, here’s a local’s perspective on the fishing conditions at Lake St. Clair, Michigan.

    First off, the weather is quite chilly, with temperatures in the mid-40s to low 50s Fahrenheit, which is typical for this time of year. The sunrise was at around 7:30 AM, and sunset is expected around 4:50 PM. The winds are moderate, coming from the northwest at about 10-15 mph, which can affect the water conditions.

    Tidal influences are minimal on Lake St. Clair since it is a freshwater lake, but the water levels can fluctuate slightly due to wind and precipitation.

    Yesterday’s fishing reports indicated a decent day for anglers. Fish activity has been steady, particularly for walleye and perch. Several anglers reported catching walleyes in the 2-4 pound range, mainly using jigs with minnows or nightcrawlers. Perch fishing was also good, with many catching them in the 8-12 inch range using small jigs tipped with maggots or small minnows.

    For those targeting smallmouth bass, the Mile Roads area and the waters around Harsens Island have been hot spots. Bass were caught using soft plastics and crankbaits.

    If you're looking to catch muskie, the areas around the St. Clair River and the north channel have shown some activity. Muskie anglers have been using large bucktail spinners and jerk baits.

    In terms of specific lures and bait, for walleye, try using a jig with a minnow or nightcrawler. For perch, small jigs with maggots or small minnows are effective. For smallmouth bass, soft plastics like curly tail grubs or crankbaits in shad patterns have been working well.

    Hot spots to consider include the waters around Metro Beach, especially the areas behind Selfridge Air National Guard Base, and the Anchor Bay region. These areas have consistently produced good catches of walleye, perch, and smallmouth bass.

    Overall, it's a good time to get out on the water at Lake St. Clair, just make sure to bundle up against the cold.
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    2 mins
  • Navigating the Fishing Challenges at Lake St. Clair, Michigan: Tips for a Successful Outing

    Navigating the Fishing Challenges at Lake St. Clair, Michigan: Tips for a Successful Outing
    Nov 17 2024
    As of November 17, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake St. Clair, Michigan, is experiencing a mix of challenges and opportunities. Here’s a rundown of what you can expect:

    **Weather and Tides:**
    The weather has been quite windy lately, which has slowed down fishing activity. However, the winds are expected to die down a bit today, making conditions slightly more favorable. Tides are not a significant factor in Lake St. Clair, but water levels can fluctuate due to wind and precipitation.

    **Sunrise and Sunset:**
    Sunrise today is at around 7:30 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:50 PM. These times are crucial for planning your fishing trip, especially if you're targeting species that are more active during these periods.

    **Fish Activity:**
    Despite the slow fishing activity reported recently, anglers were still able to catch some fish. Prior to the windy conditions, panfish were being caught near Selfridge using small artificial lures in natural baitfish colors on slip bobbers. Smallmouth bass were also active, particularly in the 15 to 16-foot depths, halfway out to the lake[3][5].

    **Types and Amounts of Fish:**
    Yesterday, anglers caught a mix of species including smallmouth bass, which were abundant in the deeper areas of the lake. Walleye and muskie were also reported, though in smaller numbers. The panfish catch included a variety of species, but the numbers were not as high as in previous weeks.

    **Best Lures and Bait:**
    For smallmouth bass, soft plastic dropshot rigs and small artificial lures in natural baitfish colors have been effective. For walleye, jigging blade baits or using soft plastics has worked well. Panfish can be caught using small jigs and slip bobbers with natural baitfish-colored lures[3][5].

    **Hot Spots:**
    Some of the hot spots to consider include the areas near Selfridge, where panfish have been active. The deeper waters halfway out to the lake are good for smallmouth bass. Additionally, the rock walls near Sterling State Park beach have been productive for smallmouth bass using soft plastic dropshot rigs[3][5].

    Overall, while the fishing has been slow due to the windy conditions, there are still opportunities to catch a variety of fish species at Lake St. Clair. Be sure to check with local bait shops for the most up-to-date information and adjust your tactics accordingly.
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    3 mins
  • Late Fall Fishing Bounty on Lake St. Clair

    Late Fall Fishing Bounty on Lake St. Clair
    Nov 16 2024
    As of November 16, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake St. Clair is quite vibrant, despite the late fall season. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Tides
    The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-50s Fahrenheit. Winds will be moderate, coming from the northwest at about 10-15 mph. Tides, although not as critical for freshwater fishing, still influence the water levels and currents, especially near the Detroit and St. Clair rivers. Expect a relatively stable water level today.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at around 7:00 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 4:45 PM, giving you a good window of daylight to fish.

    ### Fish Activity
    Fish activity is still robust, especially for species like smallmouth bass and walleye. Smallmouth bass are active in the 15 to 16-foot depths, often found halfway out to the middle of the lake. Walleye are also biting well, particularly in areas like the Detroit River, St. Clair River, and along the mudlines near Harley Ensign and Metro Beach.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught
    Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of smallmouth bass, walleye, and some perch. The smallmouth bass were abundant, with several catches reported in the 3-5 pound range. Walleye were also plentiful, with many anglers catching them in the 2-4 pound range.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For smallmouth bass, using soft plastics like curly tail grubs or crankbaits in shad patterns has been effective. For walleye, jigging with minnows or using spinner rigs with nightcrawlers are good choices. The key is to fish in areas with the right water color; greenish water tends to produce more bites than clear water.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Metro Beach and Harley Ensign**: These areas have been producing a lot of walleye, especially along the mudlines.
    - **The Canadian Side**: This area is known for better quality fish, especially during tournaments, and is a good spot to try your luck for both smallmouth bass and walleye.
    - **The Detroit and St. Clair Rivers**: These rivers continue to yield good catches of walleye, making them excellent spots to fish.

    Overall, Lake St. Clair remains a great destination for late fall fishing, with plenty of opportunities to catch a variety of species. Just make sure to dress warmly and be prepared for the changing weather conditions.
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    3 mins
  • Fishing Lake St. Clair in November: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Perch Thrive in Cooler Temperatures

    Fishing Lake St. Clair in November: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Perch Thrive in Cooler Temperatures
    Nov 15 2024
    As of November 15, 2024, the fishing scene on Lake St. Clair is quite active despite the cooler weather. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

    ### Weather and Tidal Conditions
    The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 48°F and a low of 38°F. Winds are moderate, coming from the northwest at about 10 mph. Since Lake St. Clair is a freshwater lake connected to the Great Lakes system, tidal effects are minimal, but water levels can fluctuate slightly due to wind and water flow from Lake Huron and Lake Erie.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset is at 4:53 PM, giving you a good window to get out on the water.

    ### Fish Activity
    Yesterday saw a decent amount of fish activity, particularly with smallmouth bass and walleye. The bass are still active in the deeper areas, especially around the Mile Roads and near the shipping channel. Walleye are being caught in the St. Clair River, particularly in the north channel, where the water is cooler.

    ### Types and Amounts of Fish
    Smallmouth bass were the stars of the show, with many anglers reporting catches in the 15- to 16-foot depth range. Walleye were also plentiful, especially for those using live bait or jigging techniques in the river. Perch schools, although scattered, were still present around the shipping channel and in the side cuts of the river.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For smallmouth bass, using live scope and chasing bait fish pods has been highly effective. Soft plastics and crankbaits in natural colors are also working well. For walleye, jigging with minnows or using live bait such as nightcrawlers has been successful. Perch are biting on small jigs tipped with minnows or maggots.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **Mile Roads Area**: This spot continues to produce good numbers of smallmouth bass, especially in the deeper areas.
    - **North Channel of the St. Clair River**: This area is great for walleye and perch, with the cooler water attracting more fish.
    - **Shipping Channel**: While the perch schools are scattered, this area still holds a lot of fish, especially in the side cuts and channels.

    Overall, it's a good time to get out on Lake St. Clair, especially if you're targeting smallmouth bass and walleye. Just be prepared for the cooler weather and adjust your tactics accordingly.
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    3 mins
  • Late Fall Fishing on Lake St. Clair: Smallmouth, Walleye, and Perch Bite Strong

    Late Fall Fishing on Lake St. Clair: Smallmouth, Walleye, and Perch Bite Strong
    Nov 14 2024
    As of November 14, 2024, here’s a detailed fishing report for Lake St. Clair, Michigan.

    ### Weather and Tidal Conditions
    The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 50°F and a low of 40°F. Winds are light, coming from the northwest at about 5 mph. Given Lake St. Clair's location, tidal effects are minimal, but water levels can fluctuate slightly due to wind and water flow from the Detroit River.

    ### Sunrise and Sunset
    Sunrise is at 7:04 AM, and sunset is at 4:53 PM, providing a decent window for both morning and evening fishing.

    ### Fish Activity
    As we move into the late fall season, fish activity is starting to shift. Smallmouth bass are still active, particularly in shallower waters around the Mile Roads and near the shoreline where bait fish are abundant. Water temperatures are in the upper 40s to low 50s, making it comfortable for bass to hold in these areas.

    Walleye are also being caught, especially during the night and early evening hours. They are congregating around points like South River Road, Metro, Brandenburg, and the mouth of the Spillway. These areas offer good shoreline access and are known for attracting walleye as the water cools down.

    Yellow perch are another species that are active, particularly in the South End of the lake around the Dumping Ground area. These perch are often stuffed with crayfish, indicating a healthy and active population.

    ### Catch Reports
    Yesterday, anglers reported catching significant numbers of smallmouth bass in the 2-4 pound range, especially in areas with abundant bait fish. Walleye catches were also notable, with some anglers picking up several fish in the 3-5 pound range using lipless cranks and swimbaits. Yellow perch were plentiful, with reports of quick limits being filled in the South End.

    ### Best Lures and Bait
    For smallmouth bass, using soft plastics or crankbaits that mimic bait fish is effective. In areas with heavy weed cover, a jig or a spinnerbait can also work well.

    For walleye, lipless cranks, specifically red eyes, have been producing good results. Swimbaits and bombers are also effective, especially during the night and early evening.

    For yellow perch, using small jigs tipped with minnows or maggots is highly effective. Crayfish-patterned lures can also attract these perch.

    ### Hot Spots
    - **The Mile Roads**: Known for its shallow waters and abundant bait fish, this area is great for smallmouth bass.
    - **The Dumping Ground Area**: Located on the South End of the lake, this spot is excellent for yellow perch.
    - **Metro and Brandenburg Points**: These areas are prime for walleye, especially during the night and early evening.

    Overall, Lake St. Clair remains an excellent fishery as we head into the late fall season, with a variety of species available and several hot spots to explore.
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    3 mins