Lake Erie, Detroit Fishing Report

Artificial Lure here with your Monday, October 27, 2025, fishing report for Detroit and the western end of Lake Erie.

Sunrise hit at 7:56 AM this morning, and sunset will be around 6:31 PM. Anglers enjoyed a brisk, partly cloudy fall dawn with air temps starting in the mid-40s—warming just enough to keep the boat rides pleasant but not hot.

Weather-wise, the National Weather Service had east winds breezing 10 to 15 knots at sunrise, with waves running 1 to 3 feet, building to 2 to 4 feet throughout the day. These conditions are classic for late October—manageable but you’ll want your spray gear. Barometric pressure’s steady, thanks to a ridge lingering over Lake Erie, but expect it to drop and the wind to ramp up by midweek, so fish today or tomorrow if you want manageable waves and clean drifts.

As for the fish, the main story this week is a strong smallmouth and walleye bite. Coming out of the weekend, several local circuits reported very solid action. According to Michiana Outdoors News, Tackle Shack competitors over the weekend saw “around 50 bass during practice” and impressive tournament bags coming from both Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River. The winning teams weighed five-fish limits in the 20–25 pound range, with the biggest smallmouth topping 7.45 pounds—a true world-class fish for these waters.

Most smallmouth were found in 2 to 10 feet, tight to the bottom on edges and gravel—often near current seams or where wind pushed bait onto shallow flats. Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits produced early, but the key lures for numbers and size were finesse swimbaits like 2.8” Keitech rigged on a light jighead, and tubes in green pumpkin or smoke. Anglers targeting deeper rock and transitions scored on A-rigs and drop-shot rigs, while crankbaits picked up bonus fish in heavier current patches, especially on the Detroit side.

Walleye chasers caught fish at first light and pre-sunset, working the western basin and mouth of the river. Most were trolling deep-diving stickbaits in 14 to 20 feet or slow-drifting live emerald shiners on bottom-bouncer rigs. YouTube’s Better Than Dawn crew reported limits of trophy-sized walleyes near dusk, working structure off the Ford Yacht Club and out toward Stony Point.

Perch have been sporadic, but if you’re looking for a family-friendly bite, check near the dumping grounds off Grosse Ile or drift the weed edges off the south shore—minnows and perch rigs are the ticket when you get over a pile.

For bait, grab live emerald shiners or fathead minnows for both perch and walleye. Bassers should stick with soft plastics in natural or shimmer colors, but don’t rule out white or chartreuse on the spinnerbaits for a reaction bite when wind muddies things up.

For today, hot spots you’ll want to check out include:

- The mouth of the Detroit River near Reno Beach—perfect depth for both smallie and walleye with mixed current and baitfish presence.

- Sugar Island west shoals—this spot’s produced big bronzebacks and th

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This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Erie–Detroit fishing report for Sunday, October 26, 2025.

Lake Erie and the Detroit River are rolling into late fall and the fishing is still firing on all cylinders. Sunrise hit at 7:53 AM and sunset will fall at 6:38 PM, giving you that classic, crisp autumn daylight window. The weather’s settled into typical late October form—right now we’ve got mostly cloudy skies, temps in the low 50s, and a light southwest wind at about 8 knots according to NOAA’s Marblehead dashboard. No real tidal movement to report here; Lake Erie’s water levels are more wind-driven than tidal, but expect slightly elevated flows at the river mouths after yesterday’s rain.

Fish activity has been strong, especially for walleye and smallmouth. This past week saw a steady bite, with anglers reporting limits of walleye averaging 18 to 22 inches just outside the River Raisin mouth and along the reefs near Point Mouillee. Jigging with blade baits, like the classic Heddon Sonar or silver jigging spoons, accounted for big numbers. A shift toward brighter chartreuse and firetiger patterns seems to pay off on overcast days like today.

Yellow perch action moved a little deeper, with the best hauls coming from 24–28 feet off Brest Bay and around the dumping grounds. Minnow rigs on spreaders or slip bobbers are still the go-to. There have been several “two-man limit” stories out of the Metropark pier this weekend, with perch running a nice ten to twelve inches. Don’t overlook using live emerald shiners for bait; they’re out-producing soft plastics by a mile right now.

Smallmouth bass are hot on the Detroit River edges and up into the Trenton Channel, feeding up hard before winter. Ned rigs with green pumpkin Z-Man TRDs and dropshotting Gulp! Goby baits around rock piles are drawing big strikes. A few folks are still working spinnerbaits along riprap with success, especially where the water’s warmer near discharge points.

According to Major League Fishing’s regional breakdown, Detroit River tournaments lately have reinforced that smallmouth are the main show, but there are still beefy largemouth lurking in the back bays and creeks—try flipping jigs up tight to dying weeds if you want to mix it up.

Regulations-wise, don’t forget that Lake Erie around Detroit is still closed for spearing northern pike, walleye, and lake trout, so it’s hook-and-line only for those. But bowfin, bullhead, and catfish are open year-round if you want to have some fun with alternative gear per the latest State Fisheries Order.

If you want the inside edge on hot spots, here’s what’s been working:

- Metropark Fishing Pier and the mouth of the Huron River for perch and walleye.

- Walleye Alley just east of Pointe Mouillee where the current rolls off the rock reefs.

- Trenton Channel—look for smallmouth staging on rocky flats. Early morning or right before dusk has been prime.

A quick word on conditions: Lake St. Clair still shows some patchy brown algae, but it’s not

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Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Saturday morning fishing report for Lake Erie and the Detroit River.

What a beautiful fall day we've got shaping up! Sunrise was around 8 AM and we'll have light until about 6:30 PM, giving us plenty of time on the water. The weather's cooperating nicely for late October fishing.

The Detroit River has been absolutely on fire lately. Tournament anglers recently pulled some incredible smallmouth out of these waters, including a massive 7.45-pounder that set a new record. Teams were consistently bringing in limits over 20 pounds, which tells you the fish are feeding heavily right now as they prepare for winter.

The hot bite has been in 2 to 5 feet of water using chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. Finesse swimbaits on jigheads have been deadly, particularly the smaller profiles in the 2.8 to 3-inch range. Teams have been catching 50 bass during practice sessions, so the numbers are definitely there. The key depth seems to be around 10 feet when you're drifting with Alabama rigs and swimbaits.

Lake St. Clair has also been producing well for those willing to venture out to the south end. Despite some dicey weather and strong north winds, anglers found loaded spots where they caught fish after fish on those same finesse swimbaits and jigheads.

For bait selection, you can't go wrong with tubes and crankbaits, especially when working current in the Detroit River. The water clarity is super clear right now, so natural colors and finesse presentations are your friends.

A couple hot spots to check out: First, the areas around the Detroit River where current breaks occur have been holding big smallmouth. Second, if you're on Lake St. Clair, the south side has been protecting anglers from the north winds while still producing quality fish around 10 feet of water.

The St. Joe River at 6-Span near Elkhart is also worth mentioning, as there's a tournament running there today with boats launching early morning.

Remember, with the clear water conditions, stealth is important. Downsize your presentations and don't be afraid to use those lighter jigheads with realistic swimbaits. The fish are aggressive but selective right now.

Get out there and make it happen! Thanks for tuning in, and make sure to subscribe so you never miss a report.

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie-Detroit fishing report for October 24, 2025. We’ve got a classic late-October set up—**crisp air**, big swells, and plenty of fish stories out on the water.

The sunrise hit Detroit this morning at 7:53 a.m. and with sunset riding in at 6:42 p.m., we’ve got roughly eleven hours for anglers to make their mark. Today’s weather pulled in with a solid northwest wind at 15 to 25 knots, leftover from last night’s bluster. Waves are kicked up—running in the 4 to 7-foot range. NOAA and the National Weather Service have kept that Small Craft Advisory in effect until at least 4 p.m., so boaters in smaller rigs should play it cautious, especially along the shoals and west end points near Monroe and the River Mouth. The air’s a brisk mid-40s climbing into the low-50s by midday, and it’s the kind of cold snap that gets those smallmouth and walleye on the prowl.

No tides to report—this is the Great Lakes after all—but water levels are on the seasonal drop.

Fishing activity’s been strong despite the weather tantrums. According to the Tackle Shack report, bass have been coming in fat and feisty lately. Just last Saturday, the Tackle Shack Brawl, shortened by a foul wind forecast, still saw impressive stringers. Brock and Martin bagged 25.29 pounds, mostly smallmouth, with a 6.60-pound kicker. They put up over 22 pounds in the first hour on **spinnerbaits** and **Chatterbaits** in 2 to 5 feet of wind-churned water on the edges of the Detroit River.

Word from the top teams is that throwing **finesse swimbaits**—like the 2.8" Keitech on a BAFA F8 jighead—and the new Rapala Crush City Mayor has been the ticket to big numbers, with close to 50 bass caught in one practice day. When the bite gets fussy, a tube or crankbait drug through current seams in 8 to 12 feet, and an A-rig slow-rolled near the bottom, is pulling chunky fish, too. The biggest of the week? Mason Alverado’s monstrous 7.45-pound smallmouth, wrestled from the Detroit River near Trenton, all muscle and grit.

Walleyes are heading back into the river and down the western basin, stacking up along the Maumee channel and near the mouth of the Detroit River north of Grosse Ile. Golden hour—dusk—has been especially productive on deep-diving crankbaits and blade baits in gold and firetiger patterns. Locals are tipping their blade baits with a chunk of nightcrawler for bonus stripes. Tossing a jigging Rap or working a drop-shot with a minnow on the flats has also convinced a few bonus yellow perch into the livewell.

As for hot spots, don’t skip the classic pea-gravel humps just off Wyandotte and the channel edges east of Bar Point. If you need cover from the wind, the dump grounds south of the Ambassador Bridge in U.S. waters have held packs of big smallmouth, most sitting tight to rock fingers in 7 to 12 feet. Quick note: there’s chatter of some decent pike lurking the weed edges off Belle Isle.

Bait-wise, smallmouth have been smashing **white or chartreuse paddle

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Good morning, anglers—this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Erie and Detroit River fishing report for Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.

The fall bite is in full swing, but conditions on Erie today can only be described as wild. A Low Water Advisory is in effect until late this evening, courtesy of strong westerly winds reaching 30 knots, gusting even higher, and waves from 3 up to 9 feet in places, with some rollers possibly breaking 10. These winds have tossed water levels a good foot below normal, so if you’re launching anything smaller than a tug, your best bet is sticking close to protected spots or holding off until things settle down, as the National Weather Service Cleveland says these conditions are hazardous for small craft. Experienced crews, stay extra sharp if you’re heading out, and always keep those life jackets close.

Daylight lines up with prime fishing: sunrise was at 7:52 AM, and sunset will come around 6:44 PM. Expect overcast skies this morning with lingering showers and a stubborn chop on open water.

Despite the weather, the Detroit River and adjacent shallows have produced some phenomenal fish this week. According to the latest reports from events like the Tackle Shack tournament, anglers connecting with smallmouth on the river found schools hanging in 2 to 5 feet of water. Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits were the deal during high wind, while finesse tactics—think BAFA F8 jigheads paired with 2.8" Keitech swimbaits, Crush City Mayors, and Spark Shads—absolutely crushed on the loaded sand and gravel flats.

The Detroit River itself gave up a 7.45-pound smallmouth in the late morning two days back, a fish-of-a-lifetime anywhere, and one folks are still buzzing about. Plenty of 4 to 5-pound class smallmouths came in for weigh-ins, too. Most tournament teams reported numbers in the 20- to 25-pound range for their best five. Crankbaits and tubes put up solid numbers for those drifting the channel edges, and A-rigs also fooled some of the bigger bites from river-run bruisers. Spinnerbaits brought the heat around weedlines and rocky points, especially in the wind and low light.

If you’re after walleye, the cooler temps have triggered a decent uptick. Trollers working the lower stretches from Trenton Channel out to the Flats with deep-diving crankbaits in clown or purple patterns report consistent catches. Jigging the drop-offs with ¾-ounce jigs tipped with plastics or emerald shiners is starting to heat up as walleye slide shallow due to the drawdown and falling temps.

Perch have been a bit tougher—likely due to the turbulent water and fast-moving fronts—but reports closer to Grosse Ile and up by the mouth at Lake Erie Metropark show scattered keepers over deeper grass beds. The key has been bouncing small minnows or bits of crawler on drop-shot rigs close to bottom, moving often to stay on active pods.

For lures, stick with natural baitfish imitations—greens, shads, and glimmer metallics—especially on brighter or clear days. When

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Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure coming at you with your Lake Erie and Detroit River fishing report for Wednesday, October 22nd.

Well folks, Mother Nature is throwing us a curveball today. The National Weather Service has a Small Craft Advisory in effect until tomorrow morning, with southwest winds hitting 20 to 30 knots and gusting up to 40. We're looking at waves building to 5 to 8 feet, and there's even a Gale Watch for this afternoon through evening. If you're thinking about heading out, especially in a smaller boat, you might want to reconsider or stick close to protected areas.

Now, let me tell you what's been happening out there when conditions were fishable. Just last week, the Tackle Shack tournament on Lake St. Clair saw Jonathan Brock and Christopher Martin pull in over 25 pounds of smallmouth, including a beautiful 6.60-pounder. They were working Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits in just 2 to 5 feet of water during that first golden hour.

Bill Mathews and Kris Iodice weren't far behind with nearly 24 pounds, using BAFA F8 jigheads with finesse swimbaits like the Crush City Mayor and 2.8-inch Keitech. They were fishing the south side of St. Clair in about 10 feet of water, and let me tell you, that spot was absolutely loaded with quality fish.

Over on the Detroit River, Mason Alverado and Mike Ganger landed the biggest smallmouth ever weighed in a Tackle Shack tournament – a monster 7.45-pounder caught on crankbaits. They were also working tubes in the current, finishing with a 5.5-pounder to round out their 20-pound bag.

For those of you who can brave today's conditions or are planning for calmer days ahead, here's what's working: A-rigs are absolutely crushing it right now, especially for those drifting around 10 feet. Crankbaits and tubes are your go-to in the Detroit River current. If you're working shallower water, don't overlook those Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits.

Hot spots to hit when conditions improve: the south side of Lake St. Clair has been producing consistently in that 10-foot range. On the Detroit River, target those current breaks where the big girls are staging.

With this weather system moving through, your best bet is waiting until Friday when things settle down. When you do get back out there, remember these fish are feeding heavily heading into late fall, so don't be afraid to throw bigger profiles.

Thanks for tuning in this morning. Be safe out there, and make sure to subscribe so you don't miss tomorrow's report when hopefully we'll have calmer seas to talk about.

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Good morning from Lake Erie, Detroit—it’s Artificial Lure with your fall fishing report for October 21, 2025.

Sunrise hit our waters at 7:44 AM and we’re expecting sunset around 6:44 PM this evening. The lake’s holding a lingering warmth, which, according to The Plain Dealer and Great Lakes Daily News, is keeping fish activity steady even as we drop deeper into the season. That said, conditions on the water today are a bit tough. The National Weather Service has a Small Craft Advisory—winds topping 20 knots and waves pushing 4 to 7 feet through Wednesday morning. If you’re heading out, especially in a small boat, keep to the sheltered marinas or fish from shore[National Weather Service].

As far as the bite goes, the walleye are still king. Ohio just reported another “exceptional” hatch this year, so there’s no shortage of these beauties prowling the western and central basin of Lake Erie. Anglers working near the mouth of the Detroit River, around Point Mouillee and down near Luna Pier, are hitting solid stringers, many hauling in limits by mid-morning[Ohio Fishing Report]. Best times have been early and late, right around those sunup and sundown transitions.

Perch have been steady too, especially near the edges of the shipping channel and around the concrete pilings. Smaller groups of anglers have landed between 10–25 keepers per trip this past weekend, with most perch in the 7 to 11 inch class. Bonus catches—white bass and the occasional smallmouth—have been reported from breakwalls and pier heads.

Lure and bait recommendations for today:

- **Walleye:** Lead-core trolling with Bandit and Reef Runner crankbaits (in Firetiger, Purple Demon, and Chrome Clown), or casting with a ¾ oz hair jig tipped with emerald shiner.

- **Yellow Perch:** Nothing beats a classic double minnow rig, with fresh lake shiners or fathead minnows, set just off the bottom. Try a drop-shot setup when the wind picks up.

- **Bass:** If you stick to the breakwalls, cast chartreuse tube jigs and pumpkinseed Senkos. Today’s chop will have smallmouth hugging the rocks.

Hot spots you’ll want to check:

- Pointe Mouillee State Game Area: Sheltered, great for shore fishing and plenty of perch and walleye.

- The Fermi Cooling Ponds: Always a sleeper in rough conditions, holding steady numbers of largemouth and drum.

- Detroit River Trenton Channel: Try the eddies near Wyandotte for bonus big walleyes and occasional migrating steelhead.

For those trawling deeper, late-season steelhead and the last runs of white bass are hanging near the river mouth, with the best action on chrome spoons and pink jigs. Keep an eye on the weather, as runoff and choppy water can turn those spots on or off quick.

A quick local note—the geese are flocking heavy this week, so shorelines might be messy. And remember, invasive mussel impacts have changed some habitats, but they’re not as dire here as in Lake Michigan or Huron, so our forage base is still pretty solid[Great Lakes Now].

That’s

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Artificial Lure here, and if you’re near Lake Erie and the Detroit River this October 20th, don’t put those rods away yet—the fall bite is on, but Mother Nature is making things interesting.

Sunrise hit at 7:48 AM and we’ll see sunset at 6:44 PM. Water temps are holding steady—64 degrees up near Toledo and Erie, 66 off Cleveland, according to the National Weather Service. But let’s talk about the weather and water: today’s front is a strong one, with south winds shifting quickly to northwest, peaking at 30 knots, and waves building 5 to 9 feet. The word from the Coast Guard and the National Weather Service is clear: small craft advisories are in effect through the afternoon and evening, so if you’re not experienced, it’s a good day to stick to the piers, rivers, or protected shorelines.

Fish are hot on the move, especially with this wild weather and dropping water levels in the western basin. I heard from several anglers yesterday that walleye are still coming in steady numbers off Luna Pier and near Brest Bay, with most fish pulled from the deeper troughs—18 to 24 feet. The white bass are chasing bait in the Detroit River too, especially near the mouth and along the weed edges. Perch are showing in good eater-size schools between Point Mouillee and the Ohio line, but you’ve got to move to stay on them.

Pro picks for lures and baits today: for walleye, snap on a deep-diving crankbait or try running a crawler harness behind a bottom bouncer—chartreuse and purple are the hot patterns. White bass are slamming small silver blade baits and jigging spoons—keep it flashy to match the bait schools. For the perch, stick to live emerald shiners on a two-hook perch rig. Sometimes a pinch of nightcrawler seals the deal if the bite gets picky.

The forecast for rain and waves means bank and pier anglers should work the Detroit River parks—Wyandotte, Trenton Channel, and the Bellaire St. pier on the U.S. side—or the Windsor waterfront parks if you’re in Canada. Fish tight to the bottom, and remember: that stirred-up water gets fish in the mood to feed.

Muskie diehards, this cold front is your friend. Trolling giant jointed plugs or big rubber baits in 10-20 feet just off the main channel is a classic fall move. The best recent catches have come right around Peche Island and the Belle Isle Bridge channel edges.

Local chatter at the ramp this morning had a couple groups talking about limits of walleye landed before the wind kicked up—nothing huge, but plenty in the 18-22 inch range. One crew managed an 8-pound muskie tossing big jerkbaits on the river, right at first light.

Just remember: safety first. These winds and high waves aren’t for the faint of heart. Keep PFDs on, check your forecast again before launching, and tell someone your plan.

Hotspots to try:

- The mouth of the Detroit River, especially east of Grosse Ile for mixed walleye and bass.

- Reno Beach and Turtle Island reefs for late fall perch and walleye.

Thanks for tuning in to today’s La

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Artificial Lure here with your October 19th Lake Erie and Detroit fishing report. First light today hit the water at 7:51 AM, and we’ll have lines in until sunset wraps things up at 6:47 PM. Anglers, grab your jackets—fall has truly settled in, and there’s a potent weather system rolling through. According to the National Weather Service, we’ve got strong south-to-west winds on deck, topping out at 30 knots, with gusts to 40 possible later today. Expect waves from 3 to 6 feet by afternoon, occasionally touching 8, so nearshore fishing is the safer bet for most small craft. Water temps have edged down to around 66 degrees off Toledo and Cleveland, with 64 near Erie. Gale warnings are posted, and if you’re out, keep a sharp eye and a weather radio handy.

Heading out early, the conditions are brisk with a shot at showers, but that cloud cover is actually helping the bite. Walleyes are still feeding, getting ready for their winter slowdown, and smallmouth action has been excellent along Detroit River edges and rocky nearshore spots. Trollers pulled in respectable limits before daybreak using deep-diving crankbaits in perch and natural shad patterns—those Smithwicks and Bandits were top performers overnight.

Jigging took center stage this week in the channels and just off the breakwalls. Hair jigs in purple and black, coupled with live emerald shiners, triggered both walleye and surprise bonus perch. The Detroit River’s lower tracts—especially Sugar Island and Belle Isle flats—remain hot spots for mixed bags. Reports from regulars say several boats landed double-digit smallmouths here yesterday, most running 2 to 4 pounds, with a couple pushing the five mark. Ned rigs and green pumpkin tubes pulled along the drop-offs have been dynamite.

On the Lake Erie side, perch have schooled up nicely in 16 to 22 feet around the Grosse Ile and Wyandotte areas. Try spreading your search until you mark fish, then anchor up and drop a perch rig with shiners. The bite can be light, but patient jigging pays off. Some slabs over 12 inches were iced yesterday, and buckets of eater-sized perch made their way back to the basin.

If you’re chasing predator action, don’t overlook the mouth of the Detroit River where muskies are making their late-season moves. Big rubber baits like Bulldogs in firetiger have tempted follows and a few solid hookups at Windmill Point and Fighting Island. Muskies are in pre-winter mode—be ready for epic strikes.

Best bets:

- Sugar Island drop-offs for smallmouth—toss a Ned rig or a white fluke.

- The south channel edges by Grosse Ile for perch—classic perch rigs with emerald shiners.

- The Ford Yacht Club wall for night walleye using deep-diving cranks.

- Windmill Point and the mouth for trophy muskie hunters.

For bait shops, emerald shiners have been flying off the tanks—grab them early as supplies run low fast on weekends. Plastics in natural shades get the nod, but don’t be afraid to try something bold when skies are grey.

The week’s b

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Saturday, October 18th, 2025—rise and shine, anglers! Artificial Lure here, reporting from the banks of Lake Erie around Detroit, with your boots-on-the-dock fishing update.

Forecast calls for classic mid-autumn on the lake: sunrise was a golden 7:46 AM, and sunset’s coming at 6:53 PM. It’s a crisp fall morning—temps starting in the low 40s climbing to the upper 50s this afternoon. Winds out of the west-southwest at 10-15 knots put a fresh chop on the water, with waves out on Erie at around 2 feet, according to the latest National Weather Service marine forecast. Skies will be mostly sunny, though expect patchy fog around sunrise where the river meets the big lake. Tidal swings? Not much here—the lakes aren’t tidal like oceans, but a strong west wind will push water eastward, slightly dropping levels near Detroit and raising them in the eastern basin. Plan accordingly at your favorite launch.

Let’s talk fishing action—because this week, the bite’s been hot in spurts, classic fall transition. Perch have started to school up in the deeper water off Stony Point and along the mouth of the Detroit River. Look for 20-28 feet, just out from the weed beds, and drop live minnows on two-hook rigs—the fresh lake shiners outfished plastics by a mile this week.

Walleye? Reports rolled in of good catches after dusk along the Trenton Channel and out by Wyandotte, trolling Bandit crankbaits or jigging blade baits just outside the channel edges. The best colors: purple/white and clown firetiger, especially under low light. Leading lines with a 1-ounce weight spaced four feet ahead worked even when the walleyes played finicky. Hair jigs in black or green took a few after dark, just like those pros use on TV lately.

Bass chasers have been raving about the rocky points between Grosse Ile and Horse Island. Smallies are pressuring up big before winter—natural colored Ned rigs, tube baits (smoke purple), and shaky heads worked slowly along drop-offs drew the big ones. Don’t overlook topwater walking baits just after sunrise along the shallows—several nice bass were landed on spooks first thing this week.

Muskie anglers have had luck on big rubber baits—Bulldawgs in walleye pattern—on the edge of weedlines from Peche Island up towards Belle Isle. One 48-incher was caught and released Tuesday morning casting along the current seam where the river dumps into the lake. Cooler water has gotten them active again.

There’s been word, too, about walleye anglers picking up bonus yellow perch and even a few bonus steelhead near the river mouth—especially on brighter days when the baitfish move in.

Get your bait at local shops early—live minnows, medium-size shiners, and nightcrawlers are the favorites this week. For lures, stock up on blade baits (silver/blue), shad raps, tube jigs for bass, and those trusty hair jigs for walleye. Spinnerbaits for pike are working as bycatch near thick weeds.

**Hotspots today:**

- **Stony Point (deep water perch and some bonus walleye)**

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