Lake St. Clair, Michigan Fishing Report Today

Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your October 1st fishing report for Lake St. Clair, Michigan.

Today’s sunrise greeted the water at 7:28 AM, and you’ll have light until sunset around 7:14 PM. The weather’s classic early fall—mild temps in the mid-60s, winds light out of the northwest at 7–10 mph, and mostly clear skies. There’s no tidal fluctuation to mention here, but water conditions are prime for steady action throughout the day.

Fish activity is ramping up as we ease past the equinox. Smallmouth bass are shifting into their fall patterns, feeding actively in shallower water and mid-depth rock piles. Recent reports, such as those on YouTube and local forums, describe 4-pound smallies biting as the water cools, and multiple anglers are seeing good numbers by working tube jigs and swimbaits along the sandy/gravel shorelines and breakwalls. Tube jigs in green pumpkin or smoke with gold flake are the ticket; pairing one up with a 3/8-ounce jig head is producing strikes, especially near Harsens Island and south of the Metropark Channel.

Perch action remains hot, with Michigan Sportsman Forum members filling buckets and noting “the jumbos hammered the cut bait.” If you’re targeting perch, cut minnows and pieces of nightcrawler worked along weed edges and drop-offs north of the 9-Mile Tower are bringing limits of fish, some up to 12 inches. Back by the Clinton River mouth and up toward Strawberry Island, the perch are schooling up, so set your anchor and use lighter tackle for best results.

Walleye have been caught near dusk and early morning, with several boats trolling flicker minnows and shad-style crankbaits over the deeper channels. Chrome-blue and perch patterns are the most productive, especially as walleye transition into the river mouths.

Muskie fishing is seeing a seasonal uptick too. Trolling large jointed plugs—like 10-inch believers or bulldawgs—has put some 40-plus inch fish in the net just off Anchor Bay. If you’re running wire or heavy braid, make sure you’ve got a solid leader and set your drag firm.

Best baits for today:

- **Smallmouth & perch:** Tube jigs, swim grubs, live/cut minnows, pieces of nightcrawler

- **Walleye:** Flicker minnows, shad rap crankbaits

- **Muskie:** Large jointed plugs, soft rubber bulldawgs

Hot spots for October 1st:

- **Metropark Channel:** Smallmouth action mid-morning, perch schools nearby

- **North of the 9-Mile Tower:** Jumbo perch on cut bait

- **Anchor Bay:** Muskies prowling weed edges and deeper troughs

Boaters report that fish were actively biting in 10–15 feet of water, especially during overcast periods, and the weather guarantee from local guides points to steady conditions through the rest of the week.

Before heading out, make sure to double check your license and size/bag limits with Michigan DNR, as fall can bring regulation changes, and pack both artificial and live bait for best results.

Thanks for tuning in to this morning’s Lake St. Clair report with Artificial L

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Sunday, September 28, 2025.

Right now, sunrise is about 7:22 AM and sunset rolls in just after 7:20 PM. The weather’s been classic early fall, calm skies, light chop, and the temps starting off near 58, warming into the low 70s by the afternoon. Winds are mild from the southwest—ideal for both boat and kayak anglers. Tides aren't a major factor here, just watch those lake-level changes after rain or stiff winds.

Fish activity is definitely on the upswing with the cooler water putting smallmouth bass into serious feeding mode. This weekend’s Four Flags Classic confirmed it—Dan Posey and Jeff Bostic hauled in a total of 31.59 lbs of smallmouth over two days, working Ned rigs, flatworms, minnow baits, and grubs in the 8 to 12 foot range. Day one’s largest bass tipped in at 4.04 pounds. The runner-up team leaned on tubes in 4–15 feet, bringing in over 25 pounds. Scott Solomon grabbed third—again, tubes were the ticket in that 8–12 foot window and the biggest bass of the event weighed 4.95 lbs, all solid-sized fish for St. Clair according to Michiana Outdoors News.

Yellow perch are schooling up thick in the deeper flats and near drop-offs. Several reports across social media and the latest Michigan Sportsman forum say perch are stacked, with some boats claiming "thousands and thousands" in the shallows and edges, but real action starting from about 9–13 feet. Jigging with live minnows or small pink/peach jigs is producing non-stop bites, many keeper-worthy. You’ll want to hit the water with a bucket of live bait, and try drifting along weed lines near Grosse Pointe and the Metropark breakwall. Win City Outdoors recommends keeping it simple: drop shot rigs tipped with minnow is the top setup right now.

Muskies are lurking in the weeds and transition zones, but most catches are by bass and perch anglers getting lucky on crankbaits or big tubes; intentional action mostly comes on oversized rubber baits, with the luckiest hits reported in Anchor Bay and up near the mouth of the Thames.

As for lure selection, Kevin VanDam’s masterclass on Bass Pro Shops spells it out: fall on St. Clair is about covering water fast, hitting the classic channel mouths and flats where baitfish push up. Go with power baits—crankbaits in perch patterns, Strike King KVD jerkbaits, especially in brighter colors like chartreuse or sexy shad if the water’s stained, or more natural tones in clear conditions. Ned rigs and tube jigs always deliver, and if things get slow, a drop shot rig below the schools will finish the job.

A couple local hot spots deserve mention:

- **Anchor Bay**: Classic fall staging area for bass as well as perch. Fish the river mouths and inside edges.

- **Metropark Breakwall**: Perch schools are thick—easy launching and steady action, especially on the east drop-off.

- **Grosse Pointe Shoreline**: Scattered rock and weeds draw big smallmouth; work out from 8 to 15 feet.

Boat traffic’s been

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Sunday, September 28, 2025.

The fall bite’s in full swing, and Lake St. Clair is showing off with classic early-autumn conditions. This morning, the wind’s coming in gentle out of the west-southwest at about six knots, air temps floating around 70 degrees, with water temps just under 68. Sunrise hit the horizon at 7:22 AM and expect sunset around 7:18 PM. No tidal swings here, of course, but with stable barometer and light chop (wave height under a foot as of the NOAA buoy), it’s real pleasant—perfect for all styles, whether you’re running big water in a bass boat or scooting in close on a kayak.

Smallmouth bass are the talk of the lake—none bigger than those schooling up on the mid-lake humps. Reports from the Four Flags Classic just wrapped up yesterday show the top bags came targeting smallies in 8 to 12 feet, with Posey and Bostic wrangling over 31 pounds across two days. Ned rigs, flat worms, minnow baits, and good old-fashioned grubs all did the trick. Tubes have been a steady producer all week, especially for anglers sliding between 4 and 15 feet of water. There’s also been a healthy showing for drop shot rigs and swimbaits, particularly if you can find fish on your electronics tight to sandy drop-offs.

Largemouth haven’t vanished, either. Points, marina cuts, and the thicker weeds around Anchor Bay and up near Harley Ensign have been giving up solid fish early and late. Chatterbaits and creature baits in six feet have been putting limits in the box. For finesse lovers, Ned rigs and wacky worms around docks have landed some chunky largies.

Perch hunters are getting a mix of size, but dinner-plate jumbos are out there. Michigan Sportsman’s forum lit up Friday and Saturday with reports of deep-water schools near the shipping channel and the mouth of the Thames River. Look for perch to be scattered but tightly grouped—once you find one, anchor up and work 'em over with small minnows or drop-shot emerald shiners. Jigging Rapalas in natural color patterns are getting bit, too.

Walleye action’s best after dark right now, per the Friday night crew. The boys from Michigan Sportsman just pulled an 18-walleye haul running Rapalas off wire—no hot color, just keeping lines tight and baits slow across points and channel edges. Early morning and dusk trolling out from Metro Beach is putting ‘eyes in the net, if you can dodge the pleasure boaters.

Musky pods are on the move, patrolling weed flats around Strawberry Island and up towards Anchor Bay. Big rubber baits and jointed crankbaits are tempting follows, but for true believers, double-ten bucktails are still drawing heart-stopping strikes at sunset.

If you’re heading out, two hot spots this week have been:

- The Belle River Hump—8 to 12 feet, loaded with smallies and the occasional feeding musky

- 400 Club Area east of the Metro Park—scattered rocks and weed edges, killer for both largemouth and perch

Best all-around lures today

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Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, September 27, 2025, Lake St. Clair fishing report. Sunrise hit at 7:20 a.m., and sunset will slide in tonight at 7:23 p.m. We’ve got classic early fall weather in southeast Michigan—temps kicking off in the low 50s this morning, climbing to the mid-60s by late afternoon. Winds are light out of the northwest at about 7 knots, with occasional gusts but mostly glassy conditions. Water clarity is decent and boat traffic is mellow, perfect for anglers looking for fish on the move.

Tide activity isn’t a big play here on St. Clair, but the falling barometer and light chop are combining for solid fish activity windows throughout the morning and late afternoon according to the Lake St. Clair, Michigan Daily Fishing Report.

Right now we’re still riding that September transition bite. Smallmouth bass are blitzing bait and stacking up on rocky points and breaklines. Reports from last night’s Four Flags Classic, as featured on Michiana Outdoors News, are loaded with smallies—top bags coming in around 31.5 pounds for two days, including a 4.95-pound tournament big bass. Anglers found most fish in 8 to 12 feet of water on the main lake. Natural-colored Ned rigs, flat worms, and minnow baits did damage, but a tube or grub bounced near current seams is also working.

Perch are schooling tight and feeding strong along the weeds and in bay edges. The Michigan Sportsman Forum is buzzing with steady action in 6 to 12 feet—that means marinas, channel mouths, and inside bends are all worth a look. Best results come with emerald shiners or spikes on light rigs, but don’t hesitate to throw a tiny jigging spoon; plenty of eaters and the occasional bruiser mixed in.

Muskies are starting to show more as water temps drop. Trollers working the South Channel and Anchor Bay edges have been moving a few fish, especially around noon. Natural shad or perch pattern crankbaits, as well as the classic bucktail spinner, still rule. Keep a jerkbait rod on deck for the lonely follow.

Catfishing is still decent for those after a mixed bag. Channel cats upward of 20 pounds get pulled from the deeper holes near the shipping channel and around the Metropark dump grounds. Nightcrawlers, cut bait, and shrimp on a slip rig will all tempt a whiskerfish or two—confirmed by Michigan Catfish records, Lake St. Clair regularly coughs up fish in the 10- to 25-pound range.

If you’re itching for a hot spot, Metro Beach weed edges continue to produce both bass and perch. The Mile Roads, especially in the 9- to 12-foot window, are also putting up consistent numbers. For perch, check the deep holes off Selfridge and the inside weed pockets near Harsens Island. Muskie hunters are best to ply the St. Clair Light area at sunrise or Anchor Bay on a front.

Today’s best baits and lures:

- **Smallmouth:** Ned rigs, tubes, drop-shot rigs with flat worms, and slim minnow baits in greens, browns, and translucent shiner colors.

- **Perch:** Live shiners, spikes, and red

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Artificial Lure here, and it’s a picture-perfect morning on Lake St. Clair, Saturday, September 27th, 2025. Anglers woke up to calm northeast winds around 8 knots, air temps hovering near 66 degrees, and water temps just a hair warmer at 68. The sunrise cracked open the sky at 7:18 AM, and you’ll have daylight until sunset at 7:19 PM today. No tidal swings here, but these mild conditions are ideal for a day on both open water and tucked-away marinas, whether you’re running outboard or paddling a yak—just make sure you hit the launch early.

The big talk on the docks this week has been smallmouth, and rightfully so—Lake St. Clair is in the middle of a classic fall smallie blitz. Tournament action last weekend saw weights pushing past 31 pounds for two days, and 4-to-5-pounders are showing up for recreational anglers too, especially in 8 to 12 feet of water. Ned rigs, flat worms, minnow baits, and grubs have been the ticket, matching the forage these bronzebacks are gorging on before the real chill sets in, as reported in the Four Flags Classic results.

Tube jigs and swimbaits are also producing, particularly if you find weed edges or chunk rock transitions. The more finesse-minded are scoring with drop shot rigs and forward-facing sonar tactics, but don’t be afraid to chuck an A-rig or deep crank when you hit a wind-blown point. For impressive numbers, locate balls of bait on your electronics and fish just outside those schools—active fish are mixing in, and you might even find a bonus 5 or 6-pound toad if you stay persistent.

Perch hunters are still getting it done in the lower river and west side marinas, focusing on 6 to 12 feet of water by old weed beds and docks. Fathead minnows on a simple perch rig or slip bobber are the local go-to; jumbo perch are scattered but hungry, so stay mobile and pick off the biters if you hit a slow patch. Word from Michigan Sportsman regulars is limits are there for the taking if you bounce around enough.

Detroit River and Anchor Bay are reliable for both smallies and mixed bag action. Catfish aren’t grabbing headlines, but you can still put some channel cats up to 25 pounds in the net, especially drifting cut bait around the deeper river cuts or at night if you want a tug of war with something beefy. Local legend says there are even bigger ones lurking, but you’ll need time and patience to find the true monsters.

Top lures this week: Ned rigs in green pumpkin or goby, tube jigs in natural patterns, 3–4-inch swimbaits, finesse drop-shot rigs, and good ol’ live bait for panfish. If you’re after perch, don’t leave shore without a bucket of minnows. For bass, color match to the water clarity—go brighter when the wind muddies things up, natural when it’s clear.

For hot spots—Metro Beach weed edges have produced solid mixed bags close to shore, and the mile roads from 9 to 13 Mile out of St. Clair Shores are always worth a drift. Don’t overlook the mouth of the Clinton River, either—the bait schools and smallmou

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Artificial Lure checking in with your Friday, September 26, 2025 Lake St. Clair fishing report. If you’re up early, you caught a beautiful sunrise right around 7:19 AM, with sunset later tonight at 7:27 PM—just about equal light and dark, prime for those twilight bites.

The chill of early fall rolled in overnight—expect temps starting in the upper 40s at dawn, rising to the low 60s midday with a gentle east breeze putting a little ripple on the surface. The overcast sky this morning is keeping fish comfortable and close to those weed edges. There’s no tidal swing to worry about on St. Clair, but watch that breeze; east winds concentrate bait and push predatory fish up into points and shallow flats.

Let’s talk recent catches. Lake St. Clair is living up to its multispecies fame this week. According to a recent on-the-water Michigan Fishing report posted yesterday, anglers brought boats-full of smallmouth bass, white bass, muskie, and even a bonus walleye. Early risers dragging tubes off deep channels weren’t rewarded until the move shallow, but once on the inside weed line, the bite took off.

The bass bite is classic fall transition: Ned rigs, tubes, and flatworms in 8 to 12 feet been the ticket for big smallmouth, as proven in this week’s Four Flags tournament—top bags weighed over 31 pounds for two days, and the big bass ran just shy of 5 pounds. Second and third place teams found similar success fishing shallower with tubes and minnow baits, especially when the weed edge met a little current.

For the artificial lure crowd, swimbaits like a Keitech on a ball head jig, blade baits, and jerkbaits have been popping fish of all sizes, especially when fished right at the outside weed edge or anywhere you see bait flickering on top. Tournament anglers are reporting drop shot rigs with finesse baits and tubes consistently pulling the biggest smallmouth, even as the water chills down. Not to be outdone, muskie hunters are slinging larger Medussa and Bull Dawg baits and reporting screaming drags and tired arms. There’s even a bit of buzz about a monster fish boated mid-cast on a Ball Licker Medussa, with more stories cropping up as fish start to stack up for fall feed.

For live bait, local guides note that shiners, medium golden minnows, or even a crawler under a slip bobber have drawn quality smallmouth and the occasional kicker walleye. White bass—always eager—have been nailing smaller jerkbaits and are a hoot on light line.

The hot spots this week:

- **Mile Roads near 9 Mile and 12 Mile:** Classic transitional flat, with a defined weed edge and plenty of bait getting chased up by schools of smallies and white bass.

- **Anchor Bay:** Patchy grass beds in 6 to 10 feet are holding smallmouth, bonus largemouth, and the occasional pike or muskie.

- If you’re chasing big muskie, troll the channel edges off Belle Isle or cast large rubber baits on the south shore near Grosse Pointe.

Word is, the water clarity is solid and slightly stained in the shal

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Artificial Lure here, checking in with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Friday, September 26, 2025.

We’re kicking off with today’s weather on the lake: It’s shaping up as a classic early-fall scene, with morning temps in the upper 50s, peaking in the mid-60s by afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy after sunrise at 7:20 AM, with sunset coming at 7:27 PM. Winds out of the northwest at 6–10 mph mean a bit of chop, but nothing unsafe for bass boats or pontoons. No storms in the immediate forecast, but keep a rain jacket handy as light showers could linger from overnight.

Tide-wise, Lake St. Clair doesn’t have true tidal swings—being a freshwater body connected to the Great Lakes—but boaters should watch for minor fluctuations influenced by wind direction. With today’s persistent northwest breeze, expect water pushed toward the south shore and some mild current around the mouth of the Detroit River.

As for the bite: The last week has brought a stellar run for anglers, particularly those targeting **smallmouth bass, muskie**, and the ever-reliable **yellow perch**. According to YouTube’s recent local footage, hard-fighting smallmouths are on the feed along mid-depth rock piles and weed edges, with several boats landing 20–30 bass on a good morning. Muskies have been active—one boat hooked four in a six-hour stretch earlier this week, with the biggest pushing 46 inches. Perch numbers are solid near the Metropark pilings and off Harsens Island.

Yesterday’s lake-wide tournaments saw top teams averaging 13–16 pounds for five bass, with the biggest smallmouth at over 4 pounds. Ned rigs, drop-shot rigs, and tube jigs made up most of the winning tackle, with ChatterBaits and swimbaits accounting for bonus fish around shallower weed beds. According to Michiana Outdoors News, these patterns mirrored results at other area lakes, so the technique is holding steady.

Hot lures right now:

- **Green pumpkin Ned rigs**

- **Shad or perch pattern swimbaits**

- **White or chartreuse spinnerbaits**

- **Chrome and blue lipless crankbaits**

Best bait for perch is still a simple **minnow or red worm** on a drop-shot or slip bobber setup.

Muskie anglers are reporting best results trolling jointed crankbaits (black/silver or firetiger), or casting extra-large bucktails with copper blades.

For locations, a couple spots are producing consistently:

- **Mile Roads Reef** (10–16 feet) has produced great smallmouth limits and bonus rock bass.

- **Anchor Bay**, particularly off Fairhaven launch, is hot for muskies and perch.

- **Harsens Island channels** are stacking with yellow perch and the odd walleye.

- **Delphine Channel** for bass moving into fall feed mode—target rocky drops and scattered cabbage beds.

Boat traffic’s lighter post-Labor Day, so there’s room to roam. Most catches have come mid-morning to mid-afternoon, just as the water warms and baitfish schools move up.

Local guides echo the reviews—folks are catching with both **artificial lures and live bait**,

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Good morning anglers, Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

We were greeted today by classic early-fall Michigan weather—partly cloudy skies, a light west wind at 8-10 mph, and air temps hanging in the low 60s at sunrise. Water temps in the main lake are holding steady in the mid-60s, and you can feel that autumn chill creeping in. Sunrise hit at 7:18 AM this morning, and you’ll have daylight to fish right up to 7:27 PM.

No tides here on Lake St. Clair—that’s Great Lakes living for you—but the wind’s moving enough water to shake up bait schools and keep predator fish hunting. According to Bassmaster, this transition period has the smallmouth bass fired up, with the Elite Series pros recently weighing impressive bags during their championship run on St. Clair just a few weeks ago. Reports from the field earlier this week had lots of bass in the two- to four-pound range being caught, with several topping five pounds for those folks dialed in on the bite.

The hot action has centered around the deep mid-lake flats and main channel edges. Ryder’s Point and the Mile Roads area have been steady producers for both numbers and size—classic fall spots as smallies bunch up and chase baitfish. Musky chasers found good action north of Anchor Bay, with fish up to 48 inches coming off bucktails and big rubber baits as water clarity improved. Perch reports are finally improving in Bell River Hump and around Grassy Island, with a fair number of 9- to 12-inch keepers mixed in among the little guys.

Now let’s talk lures and bait. Bass anglers are cleaning up on fast-moving search baits. Burning medium-diving crankbaits like the Strike King 5XD or the Damiki DC 300 is flat-out triggering reaction strikes out on those deeper flats—Bassmaster’s recent coverage showed pros cranking up true giants this way. Ned rigs and drop shots rigged with goby-style plastics are always a sure bet, and don’t forget a classic tube bait in green pumpkin if the crankbait bite slows down.

For musky, it’s prime time to throw large double-bladed bucktails in silver/chartreuse or perch patterns. Pounders and big Medusas are also moving true trophy fish. Perch are hitting on live minnows and small chartreuse jigs, especially mid-morning after things warm up a notch.

A couple of hot spots to check today:

- Drop anchor near the Metro Beach weedlines—smallies and occasional largemouth are pushing bait up into the shallows there.

- Drift from the 9-Mile Tower out toward the St. Clair Light for a shot at both big bass and bonus walleye, especially with a little chop on the water.

Remember, invasive species are still a concern, so clean, drain, and dry your gear to keep sea lampreys and snakeheads at bay, as highlighted by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and Michigan DNR. Not only does it protect our fishery, but it keeps this lake legendary.

Thanks for tuning in to your Lake St. Clair fishing report. Don’t forget to subscrib

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Good morning from the shores of Lake St. Clair—Artificial Lure here with your fresh fishing report for Wednesday, September 24, 2025.

We kicked off the morning with a classic early fall transition. Air temps started out cool near 56°F at dawn, but we’re warming quickly into the upper 60s under mostly sunny skies. Winds are out of the northwest at 8 to 12 mph, making for a bit of chop mid-lake, but sheltered bays and the river mouths are glassy early and fishable all day. Sun rose at 7:15 AM and will set right around 7:28 PM, giving us a packed twelve hours of angling potential.

Lake St. Clair isn’t tidal, but today’s barometer is high and steady—great news for active fish. After last weekend’s windy spell pushed baitfish into nearshore areas, today’s lighter wind means the bite is on, especially near emergent weed edges and rocky points. Water clarity’s very good—three to five feet of visibility—and surface temps are clocking in around 66°F, ideal for multiple species.

Bass fishing is on fire as mid-September traditions hold true. Local guides and old-timers alike are talking about big numbers: it’s not unusual to land 20–30 smallmouths in a good session, with bonus bronzebacks pushing 4 pounds. The mile roads—especially the 9 and 11 Mile wrecks—and Anchor Bay are producing the best numbers. Spinnerbaits in white-chartreuse, 3.5” swimbaits in goby color, and drop-shot rigs with shad-imitating plastics are the ticket. If you like casting hardbaits, deep-diving crankbaits are pulling strikes from bass holding on deeper breaks.

Pike and musky are more active this week, with water temps cooling and big fish chasing perch and small shad. Musky hunters have reported several 40-inch-plus fish east of Harsens Island and along the Metropark weedlines. Large bucktail spinners and magnum jerkbaits are drawing follows and strikes—just remember, those toothy critters want erratic retrieves.

Yellow perch are schooling up by the mile roads’ weedbeds, especially in the afternoon. Emerald shiners on perch rigs have put some 10–12” keepers in the livewell, most coming from 8 to 12 feet of water. Crappie catches are improving in canals off the North Channel—look for wood structure and use small tube jigs for best results.

Walleye are scattered but picking up at the mouth of the Detroit River after dark. Pulling #7 or #8 shad-rap style cranks in perch or firetiger color is your best shot for an eater.

Remember to watch out for invasive species—local anglers have noticed young snakehead and lamprey sightings popping up in tributary creeks. The Michigan DNR recommends reporting any odd catches and practicing strict clean-drain-dry protocol on your gear to help protect the lake’s world-class fishery.

For hot spots, target:

- The 9 Mile Tower and adjacent humps for smallmouth and perch—classic fall location, easy boat access, lots of baitfish

- The mouth of the Clinton River in the late afternoon, where weed flats transition to deeper channels holding bass, pike

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Sunday, September 21, 2025. Sunrise came in at 7:13 AM; sunset’s right around 7:33 PM. We’ve got classic fall conditions today—air at 66°F, water holding steady at 68°F according to the National Data Buoy Center. Winds are from the northeast at 7 to 8 knots and the lake is nice and gentle with waves less than a foot, so just about perfect for any-sized rig out there.

Lake St. Clair doesn’t deal with tides like saltwater spots, but this steady wind’s moving enough water to keep baitfish on the go and the predators fired up. That’s meant some hot action the past couple of days, and according to Spreaker’s Daily Michigan Fishing Report, the bite has been nothing short of solid for smallmouth bass, perch, and walleye, especially during low-light periods. Folks out of St. Clair Shores are reporting good numbers of smallies on those 12 to 18-foot breaks, with respectable fish averaging 2.5 to 4 pounds—a classic fall run right now.

Perch are the other big news: schools are scattered but stacked thick where you find ’em. The key is to stay mobile—drift some weed edges or hit up the dumping grounds, and when you get bit, anchor up quick. Reports from Michigan Sportsman Forum say live minnows are the golden ticket, with limits coming for anglers using slip bobbers and tiny gold jigs.

Walleye are roaming the southern channel through Belle River Hump, favoring crawler harnesses and crankbaits during early and late bites. Troll between 10 and 18 feet and don’t be afraid to zigzag over changes in weed structure. I’ve heard of nice bonus pike in the mix, too.

The muskie crowd is still putting in work—there have been several fish over the 40-inch mark this week, particularly between Metro Point and the 400 Club stretch. Jointed plugs in perch or firetiger patterns, worked over deeper weeds and on the troll, continue to move those big girls.

For best results, here’s what the regulars are tying on:

- **Smallmouth:** Green pumpkin tubes, drop-shot rigs with finesse plastics, and spinnerbaits on windy banks. White or chartreuse spinnerbaits have been killer on choppy days, including a 17-fish morning haul for one crew last Thursday.

- **Perch:** Can’t beat a live emerald shiner under a slip bobber or a small gold jig.

- **Walleye:** Night crawlers on copper-bladed harnesses, or a #7 Flicker Shad for searching new water.

For bait selection, you want emerald shiners (lively as you can get for the perch), goby-imitating plastics and tubes for bass, and crawler harnesses for walleye.

Hot spots to check out today:

- Grosse Pointe Yacht Club drops: Bass are stacked hard on the rockpiles in 14 to 16 feet.

- Metro Beach weed lines: Perch action is consistent, and you’ll find bonus walleye mixed in.

- Belle River Hump: Best walleye numbers, plus a shot at some nice pike.

- Anchor Bay: Loads of bass and juvenile muskies—great for introducing kids or new anglers.

Local chatter from the Michigan Sportsman

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