LAKE ST. CLAIR FISHING REPORT - May 14, 2025

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your mid-May fishing report for beautiful Lake St. Clair.

The lake is really heating up, both literally and figuratively! Water temperatures have been quite varied across the lake, with readings around 60 degrees along the mile roads in the southern portions, while the northern areas up by Muskimoot are still running cooler in the low 50s or upper 40s[1]. This temperature differential is creating a unique situation where we've got smallmouth bass in all stages of spawn.

Speaking of smallmouth, they've been the star of the show lately. While there was a bit of a slowdown reported in early May near Memorial Park and the 9 Mile area[3], that's changing fast with our recent warm weather. The pre-spawn movement has been in full swing, with many fish staging in shallow water[5]. I expect with today's temperatures, they'll be extremely active.

Walleye action is also picking up nicely, according to recent reports[4]. These toothy predators are starting to feed more aggressively as the water warms.

For those targeting smallmouth, light line and finesse tactics in shallow water have been producing results. The Great Lakes Finesse 2.5" Juvy Craw has been a hot bait, with tube jigs also accounting for some bigger fish[5]. I'd also recommend trying drop shots with goby imitations in 8-15 feet of water along weed edges.

Some hot spots to check out today include the area near the 9 Mile Road access, Memorial Park shorelines, and if you're up for a bit of a run, the shallows near Muskimoot are worth exploring as those cooler waters start to warm up. With our recent warm spell, I'd focus on areas where you can find that magic 55-60 degree water.

With the bass in various spawn stages, you'll likely find some still spawning, plenty staging to spawn, and even a few post-spawn fish moving to secondary structure[1]. This weekend's warm forecast should trigger a major spawning movement, so get out there while you can!

Remember to respect the resource, practice catch and release on those spawning smallies, and take plenty of pictures of your trophies. The fish are there for the taking if you put in the time and effort.

Tight lines and see you on the water!

Artificial Lure

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for this fine Monday morning, May 12th, 2025.

Folks, let me tell ya, the smallmouth action has been a bit of a roller coaster lately. About a week ago, the high winds stirred up the water and muddied things, causing smallmouth catch rates to drop around Anchor Bay. Those fish were still hanging in the middle of Anchor Bay, but they weren't as eager to bite as they had been earlier in the spring.

The pattern's been similar since early May when reports showed slower smallmouth fishing near Memorial Park and the 9 Mile area. But don't you worry - as the water clears up, those bronzebacks should get more active again.

Looking at recent catches, we've seen smallmouth in pre-spawn mode, staging in the shallows. Some decent largemouth have been mixed in too - one lucky shore angler pulled in two largemouth and a couple of sheephead (one measuring 24 inches!) using tubes at Harley Ensign launch just a couple weeks back.

For you smallmouth hunters, the Great Lakes Finesse 2.5" Juvy Craw has been producing well in the shallows. Tube jigs are still the bread and butter around here - they've been landing some of the bigger fish. Light line and finesse tactics are your best bet right now, especially if you're fishing shallow water.

Hot spots to try today? I'd hit the middle of Anchor Bay first thing this morning. If that's slow, cruise over to the 9 Mile area. The water should be warming nicely with these May temperatures, and those smallies will be getting more aggressive as they prepare to spawn.

No perch reports to share, unfortunately. They seem to be playing hard to get right now on St. Clair. If you're after perch, you might want to head over to Grand Haven where they've been having some luck in 50-70 feet of water using spikes, wigglers, and minnows.

Weather-wise, we're looking at typical mid-May conditions - keep an eye on those winds as they can change the bite in a hurry on this lake.

Remember, folks, the smallies are in transition mode between pre-spawn and spawn, so be patient and work those shallow flats. The tube bite should improve as the water warms through the day.

That's the word from Lake St. Clair this morning. This is Artificial Lure signing off - tight lines to ya, and I'll catch ya on the water!

Good morning anglers, this is Artificial Lure with your local fishing report for Lake St. Clair on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

We’ve had a week of unsettled weather—high winds rolled through, kicking up the water and making things muddy in a lot of the usual smallmouth haunts. That has slowed smallmouth bass catch rates a bit, but folks are still pulling in fish, especially in the middle of Anchor Bay, Big Muskamoot Bay, and over in Ford Cove, with most of the action coming in shallow, around 5 to 7 feet of water. With these conditons, darker colored lures seem to be the ticket, but green and yellow have also been hot[5][1].

For you panfish fans, bluegill and crappie are biting on live bait in Ford Cove, and crappie are being caught from the canals near Selfridge. If you’re after walleye, the bite is decent in front of the Metropark—trolling crawler harnesses has been key. Those going after largemouth bass in the canals near Selfridge are doing very well, with bass hitting just about anything you throw at them[5].

Water temps are holding steady thanks to the lack of any serious cold fronts in the forecast. Water clarity is up and down depending on where the wind blew last, so you may want to try searching for clearer patches if you’re not getting bites.

The weather is mild today, with a gentle breeze and highs expected in the upper 60s to low 70s. Sunrise was at 6:06 am and sunset will be at 8:44 pm, so there’s a full day of fishing ahead. No tidal swings here, just keep an eye on any afternoon wind if you’re heading out in a smaller boat.

Here are a couple of hot spots to try today: Anchor Bay in 5 to 7 feet is still holding fish, especially if you’re chasing smallmouth. Big Muskamoot Bay and Ford Cove are both producing well for a mix of species. If you like working canals, the Selfridge area is a sure bet for bass and panfish[5][1].

Best lures right now are darker soft plastics and crankbaits for bass, while green and yellow jigs can also produce. For panfish, try live bait like worms or minnows. Walleye are hitting on crawler harnesses trolled slowly in the Metropark area.

That’s the report for today—good luck out there, and remember, the early angler often beats the wind. Tight lines!

This is Artificial Lure bringing you the Lake St. Clair fishing report for Saturday, May 10, 2025, straight from the heart of Michigan waters.

Sunrise hit this morning at 6:09 am and sunset will be wrapping up the day around 8:44 pm. We’re coming off a spell of high winds earlier in the week, which muddied the lake and pushed down the smallmouth catch rates these last couple of days. The water’s clearing up, though, and with stable weather setting in today—mostly sunny skies, light winds, and temps reaching the low 60s—it’s shaping up for a solid day on the water[1].

Bass are still mostly in pre-spawn mode, hanging around shallower flats and staging areas. Smallmouth bite has been hit or miss: anglers worked hard for their catches earlier this week, but the fish are fired up when you dial in the right spot. Anchor Bay and the 9 Mile area have been producing when conditions are right. Around Memorial Park, folks are reporting some action too, especially during late morning as the water warms[1][4].

Recent catches: The focus remains on smallmouth bass, with a few anglers reporting bonus largemouths mixed in. No new word on perch, but that’s usual for this time of year. White bass are starting up along shorelines, bringing some excitement for those fishing from the bank[2][4].

Best lures: Go with finesse presentations. The real winner this week has been the Great Lakes Finesse 2.5 inch Juvy Craw, especially on light line and a medium spinning rod—perfect for those staging smallmouth in 4 to 8 feet of water. Tube jigs are also solid choices, and don’t overlook drop shot rigs if the bite is pressured or slow. If you’re getting into the white bass near shore, small spinners and twister tails in white or chartreuse are the ticket[5].

Bait: Artificial lures are out-fishing live bait right now for bass, but if you happen on a perch or are after panfish, try minnows or wigglers under a float.

Hot spots: Middle of Anchor Bay has seen some fish moving through when the water clears. The 9 Mile area is always a favorite for smallmouth, and Memorial Park is a good starting point if you’re looking to fish from shore or want to launch a kayak[1][4].

No tides to worry about on Lake St. Clair—it’s a freshwater flow-through lake fed by the St. Clair River and draining to the Detroit River, so water levels stay fairly consistent.

That’s your Lake St. Clair rundown for today. Good luck, tight lines, and if you find a hot school of smallies, remember to handle those fish with care—spawning is just around the corner and we want them back next year.

This is Artificial Lure checking in with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Friday, May 9th, 2025. The early May bite is keeping us on our toes, with changing weather shaking up the fishing scene.

The weather this morning started off brisk but is warming up quickly, with highs expected to reach the mid-60s by afternoon. Winds have been a factor, especially earlier this week; they muddied up the water and slowed down the smallmouth bass bite, but as the water clears, we’re seeing activity pick back up. No tides to worry about on the lake, but wind direction has been pushing debris into some shallow bays, so keep an eye on water clarity as you choose your launch spot. Sunrise was at 6:11 AM and sunset will be around 8:44 PM, giving you a long window to get after them.

Smallmouth bass are still the main target, but catch rates have been up and down. With water temps hovering in the high 40s to low 50s, we’re right in the thick of pre-spawn. Fish are staging shallow, especially on rocky flats and near spawning areas. The bite can be tough in stained water, but once you find a pocket of clearer conditions, they’re aggressive[1][4][5].

Best lures this week have been finesse presentations. The Great Lakes Finesse 2.5-inch Juvy Craw worked on a light spinning setup is a local favorite, especially for those sticking to the shallows. Tube jigs and Ned rigs in natural craw patterns are putting fish in the boat too[5]. If you prefer moving baits, try small jerkbaits or swimbaits fished slow. On bright days, switching to green pumpkin or watermelon colors can make a difference. Some anglers are still picking up bonus largemouth bass as a bycatch near shoreline weeds[5].

As for bait, while artificial lures are the top choice, minnows and nightcrawlers can still pull a few bites if things slow down.

Recent catches from the Anchor Bay and Big Muskamoot Bay areas include solid smallmouth in the 2-4 pound range, and a couple of random bigger fish pushing five pounds. No noteworthy perch to report, and walleye chatter remains quiet[1][4].

For hot spots, try the middle of Anchor Bay and the rocky flats off Memorial Park. If the wind lays down and water clears up, the 9 Mile area can be dynamite, especially mid-day when the sun warms those rocks[1][4].

That’s the scoop for today. Good luck out there—keep your drags set, stay safe, and maybe I’ll see you on the water. This is Artificial Lure—tight lines!

Howdy folks, Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair fishing update for this fine Wednesday morning, May 7th, 2025.

The smallmouth bite has been picking up after a slower period we saw at the beginning of the month. Water temps are continuing to rise, which has those pre-spawn smallies getting more active in the shallows. The mile roads are starting to produce, with several anglers reporting success in the 9 Mile area and around Memorial Park.

Last week, we had some fellas throwing tubes from shore at Harley who managed to land a couple decent largemouth and two sheephead, including a nice 24-incher. No smallies for them that day, but that's fishing for ya - always keeps you guessing.

The walleye are definitely showing up along the mile roads now. My lilac bush and apple trees are in full bloom, which is always a reliable sign those walleye are moving in. Several bass anglers have been picking up walleye as a bonus catch while targeting smallmouth. If the water gets a bit stained from recent rains, don't be afraid to try for walleye midday from shore, especially up on the St. Clair River.

For tackle, finesse presentations are working well currently. Those Great Lakes Finesse 2.5" Juvy Craws have been producing some quality smallmouth. Tube jigs are also accounting for both largemouth and smallies, so make sure you have both in your box. Light line tactics are paying off in the shallows.

Hot spots to check today: The 9 Mile area has been consistent, and I'd give Memorial Park a good look too. For those with boats, try working the shallow flats in 4-6 feet of water where those pre-spawn smallies are staging.

Weather looks decent today with temps in the mid-60s, which should keep those fish active. We've got light winds from the southwest, making for manageable conditions on the lake.

If you're headed out today, you've got sunrise at 6:11 AM and sunset not until 8:38 PM, so plenty of daylight to work with. The fish have been most active during the first few hours of daylight and again in the evening hours.

This weekend should see even better action as temperatures continue to climb. Don't forget, those smallies are in pre-spawn mode right now, so they're hungry and aggressive when you find 'em.

That's the word from Lake St. Clair today, folks. Good luck out there, and remember - a bad day fishing still beats a good day at work! This is Artificial Lure signing off until next time.

Good morning from Lake St. Clair. This is Artificial Lure with your May 5th, 2025 fishing report, coming to you live from Michigan’s heart of bass country.

Sunrise hit at 6:16 a.m. and sunset will be around 8:34 p.m., giving you a long day to get out on the water. Today’s weather is on the cool side with morning temps in the upper 40s climbing to mid 60s this afternoon. Expect a gentle westerly breeze, just enough chop to keep the bite honest. Skies are mostly clear, and water clarity is decent with a touch of stain in a few bays after last week’s breeze.

As for the fishing, smallmouth bass have been the main story, but the bite has slowed a bit this past week. Your best action is still coming from Memorial Park and especially near the 9 Mile area, with Ford Cove being a particular hot spot lately. If you’re chasing smallies, tubes and drop-shots in watermelon or green pumpkin colors have been producing, especially near rocky points and breaks. Don’t overlook a subtle jerkbait or a Ned rig when the bite gets finicky[1][5].

Largemouth are starting to perk up, particularly in the canals near Selfridge and up around Harley Ensign. Black plastic worms and tubes are working well, and you might want to try a spinnerbait or chatterbait if the sun gets up high. Panfish are active in those canals, too, hitting live bait like waxworms and minnows—always a safe bet for kids or just filling a bucket[5].

Walleye reports have picked up, especially off the mile roads and the mouth of the St. Clair River. Early mornings and even midday, especially if the water muddies up a bit, have been surprisingly productive. Cast small swimbaits or blade baits for a shot at a nice dinner fish. Recent catches include a mixed bag—2 sheepshead including a hefty 24-incher, a handful of largemouth, and a couple bonus walleye for those working the mile roads and from the shore near Harley[2].

If you want to maximize your chances today, I’d suggest starting at Ford Cove or the 9 Mile area early for smallmouth, then sliding into the Selfridge canals for some largemouth and panfish action as the sun gets higher. Anchor Bay is another good bet, especially if you want to cover water and try a variety of lures[5].

Bait shops are saying all lures are catching, but if you want to keep things simple, you can’t go wrong with a tube, a Ned rig, or a classic jig tipped with a minnow.

That’s your Lake St. Clair report for today. Tight lines, and I’ll see you on the water!

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Sunday, May 4th, 2025.

Sunrise hit just before 6:20 AM, with sunset expected around 8:40 PM. We had calm morning winds out of the west, staying in the single digits. Temps started cool in the upper 40s, warming up into the 60s by midday. Skies have been mostly clear, making for fantastic visibility on the water.

No tidal swings to worry about here, but water levels have stayed steady. The water clarity is good, especially on the south and east ends. Early mornings and late afternoons have been the best bite windows.

Bass fishing is the talk of the lake right now, even though smallmouth are in that tricky pre-spawn transition. The bite has been hit or miss, but when you find them grouped up in the staging shallows, they are fired up and packing size. Shallow flats and rocky shoals near Memorial Park and the 9 Mile area are producing the most action lately. Anglers focused on finesse tactics are cashing in, especially with Great Lakes Finesse 2.5 inch Juvy Craws and tube jigs. Light line and long casts are key for these wary fish. Tubes and Ned rigs in green pumpkin or natural baitfish colors have also been effective for both smallmouth and the occasional largemouth. One report just two days ago had two largemouth and a couple of big sheephead caught right from shore at Harley Ensign, all on tubes[1][5].

Walleye are picking up steam as well, especially during low-light periods. Jigging with minnows or trolling small crankbaits near the channels and deeper weed lines has put a few nice eaters in the livewell[3]. Hair jigs and soft plastics in white or chartreuse seem to be working best.

If you’re after numbers, the docks and marinas around the mouth of the Clinton River are holding panfish and the odd perch. Worms and small jigs under a float get the job done.

For hot spots today, try the shallows around Memorial Park and the rocky flats near the 9 Mile launch for bass. If you’re looking for walleye, target the shipping channel edges and the mouth of the Detroit River at sunrise or sunset with jigs tipped with minnows[3][5].

Overall, fish are on the move, so cover water and be ready to change up your presentations. Good luck, tight lines, and I hope to see you on the water!

Hey there, fellow anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Saturday, May 3rd, 2025.

The spring action is picking up around the lake, though reports have been a bit mixed this past week. Smallmouth bass fishing has slowed down a touch according to recent reports. The main smallmouth action has been concentrated near Memorial Park and the 9 Mile area, so you might want to point your boat in that direction if bronzebacks are your target.

Yesterday, some shore anglers at Harley managed to land 2 sheephead (one was a nice 24-incher) and 2 largemouth bass using tubes. Interestingly, they reported no smallmouth in sight, which confirms what others have been saying about the smallmouth bite being a bit finicky lately.

If you're looking to target those pre-spawn smallies, they're staging in shallow water areas. Some anglers have had success with finesse presentations, particularly the Great Lakes Finesse 2.5" Juvy Craw. Light line and finesse tactics seem to be the ticket in the shallows right now. Tube jigs are also producing some quality fish when you find the right spots.

For today, I'd recommend hitting the water early. With the pre-spawn in full swing, those morning hours can be golden. Two hot spots worth checking out would be around Memorial Park and the 9 Mile area where there's been consistent action. If those don't pan out, try near the shoreline in about 4 feet of water - some anglers have been finding fish in these shallow zones.

The largemouth bite seems to be improving, so don't overlook those weedy areas where the green fish like to hang out. Tubes have been working well for them too.

For those interested in other species, there haven't been many walleye reports, but they should be starting to become more active as we get deeper into spring.

Weather-wise, we're looking at typical early May conditions, so dress in layers and be prepared for changing conditions throughout the day.

Remember, the smallmouth fishing can be hit or miss this time of year on St. Clair, but when you find them, the action can be lights out! Those pre-spawn fish are looking to bulk up, so if you locate a school, you could be in for some serious rod-bending action.

That's your St. Clair report for today, May 3rd. This is Artificial Lure saying tight lines and see you on the water!

Fishing report for Lake St. Clair, Michigan, Friday, May 2, 2025. This is Artificial Lure with your boots-on-the-water update for today.

Weather is shaping up nicely for anglers. Sunrise hit at about 6:18 AM, and you can expect sunset close to 8:38 PM tonight. Skies are partly cloudy, with temps swinging between the upper 40s in the morning and reaching the mid 60s by afternoon. Winds are light out of the southwest, so most of the water should be pretty fishable.

Lake St. Clair does not have true tides, but wind can push water levels up or down in some shallow bays. Today, conditions look stable across the lake, so you can focus on structure and clarity rather than chasing wind-driven currents.

The spring bite is rolling along, with May being a peak time for smallmouth bass. Reports from Memorial Park and the 9 Mile area say the smallie action was a little slower this past week, but this is still prime time to land a big one if you put in your time. Anglers have been boating up to 59 smallmouths in a single outing on good days, especially targeting rocky flats in 8 to 10 feet of water. Jerkbaits have produced some of the bigger bites, with soft swimbaits and spinnerbaits also getting the job done, especially in white or white/chartreuse. Retrieve speed matters—keep it slow to medium to tempt the less aggressive bass as water is still a tad cool, hovering just above 50 degrees[1][3][4][5].

Walleye fishing on the Detroit River is on fire as usual this time of year, so if you’re looking for dinner, that’s a worthy side trip. Musky action will heat up soon, but right now your best bet is targeting bass and the odd largemouth along brush and points near Metropark Marsh.

Best baits today: hard jerkbaits for the big smallmouths, soft swimbaits around rocky points, and white or chartreuse spinnerbaits in the marshes and weedier areas. If you’re after perch or panfish, small minnows or waxworms on a simple jig should get bites near the marinas and canals[4].

Hot spots right now include the rocky flats out from the 9 Mile area and the brushy shorelines at Lake St. Clair Metropark Marsh. If you want to get away from the crowd, try the deeper weed edges east of the Clinton River Cutoff.

That’s today’s skinny for Lake St. Clair. Good luck, tight lines, and remember to grab your Michigan license before you hit the water[1][4][5].