Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie and Detroit fishing report for March 31, 2025.

We've got a mixed bag of weather today, folks. Partly cloudy skies with temps in the mid-50s. Southeast winds around 10-15 knots, shifting south-southeast later. Sunrise was at 7:15 AM, and we're looking at sunset around 7:55 PM. Waves are running 1-3 feet, so it should be decent out there.

Water levels are holding steady in the Detroit River. No major tidal swings to report, but keep an eye on that wind direction as it can push the water around a bit.

Now, let's talk fish! The walleye run is in full swing, and it's been hot! We're seeing about 14 million walleye moving up from Lake Erie into the Detroit River. Anglers are reporting solid catches in 15-25 feet of water, with fish averaging 20-24 inches. The best bite has been in the western basin of Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River.

Smallmouth bass fishing is picking up steam too. Some real bruisers over 5 pounds have been caught recently. Yellow perch are hit or miss, but there are some decent schools in 15-25 feet of water.

For lures, you can't go wrong with a Rapala Jigging Rap or Berkley Flicker Minnow for walleye. The Poor Boy's Erie Darter on a drop shot rig is killing it for smallmouth. If you're after perch, try small minnows or perch spreaders with shiners.

Live bait is always a good bet this time of year. Minnows are the go-to, especially for walleye. Nightcrawlers can work wonders for smallmouth.

As for hot spots, the mouth of the Detroit River near Lake Erie has been on fire. Also, check out the area around Pelee Island for some good walleye action. For smallmouth, try the rocky areas off Kelleys Island.

Remember, the new fishing license season kicks in today, so make sure you're legal before heading out.

Tight lines, everyone! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until next time. Stay safe out there and don't forget to release a few for tomorrow!