The fishing conditions around Lake St. Clair today, April 11, 2025, are shaping up to be productive for anglers. Here's today’s comprehensive fishing report.
The weather is mild, with early morning temperatures around 50°F, expected to rise as the day progresses. Winds are light, creating favorable conditions for both shore and boat fishing. Sunrise occurred at 6:54 AM, and sunset is expected at 8:06 PM, offering plenty of daylight hours for productive fishing.
Recent activity has been promising with anglers reporting good catches of smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, walleye, musky, and perch. Smallmouth bass, in particular, are thriving, with trophy-sized catches becoming increasingly common. The best spots for smallmouth include Anchor Bay and the "Mile Roads" area, with fish actively feeding in depths of 6 to 15 feet.
Musky are another prime target, with successful catches reported using trolling techniques at speeds around 3.8 mph. Bucktails, particularly smaller ones for early spring, are performing well. As the water temperature continues to rise, larger double-bladed bucktails are expected to show even greater success. Both smallmouth and largemouth bass are also hitting spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and bladed jigs, especially near weedy shallow areas and structural drops.
Walleye fishing is solid in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers. Anglers are finding success with crankbaits, jigs, and drop-shot rigs targeting the 10 to 14-foot depth zones. Perch are also biting in good numbers near Lake St. Clair Metropark and Muskamoot Bay, with live minnows as the preferred bait.
For today, recommended lures and bait include:
- **Smallmouth Bass:** Tubes, Ned rigs, and jerkbaits in natural patterns like perch or goby colors.
- **Musky:** Bucktails for trolling and Bulldawg lures for casting.
- **Walleye:** Crankbaits and jigs, particularly in natural and chartreuse colors.
- **Perch:** Live minnows or small plastics on light jigs.
Top hotspots include:
1. **Anchor Bay:** Known for excellent numbers of bass and perch, with grassy flats perfect for reaction baits.
2. **Lake St. Clair Metropark:** Offers a mix of perch, smallmouth, and largemouth bass. It's also convenient for shore fishing.
3. **"Mile Roads":** Exceptional for smallmouth bass, especially early in the season.
4. **Muskamoot Bay:** A reliable location for smallmouth and perch in shallow waters.
Whether trolling the open waters or casting along shoreline structures, Lake St. Clair is proving once again why it’s a premier freshwater fishery. Get out there and make the most of this excellent fishing season!