Lake St. Clair Fishing Report 2015

[Justin Clark]

Last year I had thread I would give a report just about every week on what is going on up here for guys that travel to the area. Hope I can help out some other guys again this year.

 

Well the extended forecast looks to be saying we are done with the cold weather until the fall. Which is going to be nice. And that means for the next 30 days or so we will have to many things to pick from to chase out here which isn't a bad thing. 

Walleye
Detroit river: For the most part it is eaters only for most of the river. There is some 6 to 8 lb fish being caught they just are not as common at this point in the game. Vertical Jigging Fin-S and Wyandotte Worm style worms are the weapon of choice for many still. Handliners have been doing well in a few areas has well pulling Raps and bombers.

Lake St. Clair: Those that have been trolling stickbaits such has Bay Rats, Bombers, and Raps have been picking up some fish recently in 8 to 12 FOW. As the water warms throughout this week I wouldn't be shocked to see crawler harness kicking into gear here soon. I would work the area from Metro Point to the 400 club right now. By the weekend the bite could be good on the lake. 

St. Clair River:Action has started to become more steady throughout the popular areas to Jig fish. There has been a few reports of whip fishing being productive also in very select areas. There are few walleye being taken off the wall and this should get better has the water warms over the next week or so.

Perch
A few reports are starting to come in from the 7 to 9 FOW range catches of 40 keeper days have come in but most are getting 20 to 30 nice keepers for a good day of fishing right now.

Crappies:
They could be spawning in select areas by this weekend and fishing has been fair to date with a few having some really good days. Cover ground to locate the mother load pockets. Once you find them you can limit out quick with fish in the 10 to 12 inch range.

Bluegill/Sunnies:
Fishing for them has been good for the few that have choose to go after them instead of the crappies and should get better has we get closer to the spawn.

Catfish: Catfish have started to come out of the Spillway and off the point at South River road. Fish has big has 15lbs has been reported.

Bass:Thanks to the new catch and release year round guys have started to fish them and man has there been some great days. Once the water temps warms back up would expect to start hearing reports of 100 fish days again. The best areas have been down in the mile roads from 14 mile and south of 9 mile area. 12 to 6 FOW has been the productive areas with some reports of shallow water action in 4 feet still happening.

[Air Blair]

Thanks for the reports!

[Siebert Outdoors]

What are the water temps at the mile roads and around the Detroit river?

[Cgrinder]

Definitely stop in at Sportsman's Direct if you're in the area. They've got a lot of nice tackle.

[Justin Clark]

What are the water temps at the mile roads and around the Detroit river?

I was out getting a rental boat running and I was seeing 47 degrees by the shop which is North of the mile roads area. I talked with a few guys yesterday that fished down there and they seen the same thing I am thinking by this weekend should be hitting the 50's. Fishing has been great for bass. Some guys have been in tight getting great numbers other have been looking deep for the females and get some real hawg up to 6.5lbs.

 

Swimbaits, Jerkbaits, Tubes, and Blade baits are doing the most work for guys right now. Also if you have underspin jigs such has the Hornets bring them

[Air Blair]

^{Great info Justin, thanks!  Heading up Monday to fish LSC Tue-Thursday.  Hoping for decent weather (says with fingers crossed)!}

[Justin Clark]

Well water clarity has been great everywhere I have been on the lake this week. I have gotten temp readings from 50 to 65 degrees. Overall not many people complaining we have had some great weather this past week to be on the water and light winds.

 

Bass: Most people are focusing on the Miles roads, but we have gotten great reports from other areas also. Weapon of choice has been Jerbaits, Lipless, Swimsuits, and tubes. Try to find the stained water since the weed growth is lagging behind right now the fish are roaming in packs and are boat shy, so making long cast seems to be a must in most areas.

 

Walleye: We are still getting reports of walleye being caught. The best time of the day has been early twilight in the morning and dusk and into the night. Shallow running cranks have been better. Again looked for the stained water has the weeds are lagging this spring.

 

The St. Clair and Detroit rivers continue to be a soaked choice for those wanting to jig. Fin-S Fish on Anti-Freeze and Black heads are doing a fair chunk of the work.

 

Perch: There are some reports of moderate catches still coming in. Some of the fish are still spawning has well. The lack of weeds is keeping the fish a little scatter and in smaller schools right now, but a few areas have been a highway and many fish will pass those areas throughout the day.

 

Gill/Sunnies: These have been the rock star of all the reports I have gotten over the past week. Limits shouldn't be hard to come by and some real quality fish up to 11 inches have been caught. Try the Marinas and Canals right now. Once the main lake weeds start to kick in, things should get better on main lake.

 

Rock Bass: I personally have been killing them in a few areas. One spot I caught about 75 or so in an hour anywhere from 8 to 12 inches long. Rockies are a great eating fish that more people should try. You can keep up to 25 a day and there is no size limit. Remember they are part of the combined Sunfish/Gill/Crappie limit.

[Justin Clark]

This spring overall has delivered many good to great days fishing. However with that said this spring has been a bit harder for some to get a handle on things. We have had a lot of up and down temps, plus with the higher water some anglers are finding it tough to figure things out. Best word advice I can give anyone right now is fish the fish not history. History gives you a starting point after that branch out and try different areas that may have had just about no water on it the last few years these areas have been productive this spring so far.

 

Bass: We do have fish on beds and fish that are actively making them. We have yet to see any fry and that could be to the roller coaster temps we have seen this spring to date. But looks like start this week we will become stable and things will get in full swing.

 

There hasn't been just one hot bait this year. Ever day we have gone out a different bait has been the primary fish catcher. If I was going to have rods rig on the deck this is what I would have ready to go.

 

Red * are my go to right now.

*1. Spinnerbait (chart/white, Chart/white/blue)

2. Lipless Crank

3. Jerkbait (Shadow Rap, Husky Jerk and Lucky Craft Pointer 100)

*4. 4 inch Tube ( Green Pumpkin, Ruffes Poop, Formal G3, Sweet Green, St. Clair Goby NFT)

*5. Swimbait ( Domination Shad, Fat Swing Impact, Shad-o-liousces in shad and shiner colors)

6. Dropshot ( Robo Worm, Darter, Z Worm, Senko

7. Senko Wacky rigged.

 

These 7 rods should give you the perfect arsenal for going after these fish right now from 15 to 2 FOW. The only thing curve ball I throw in there if the weather is stable is a Spybait in the 80 size.

 

Walleye: The weeds have started to pop up and the water has a tint to it fish are being caught here on the US side, but the best main lake action is on the Canadian side right now. The rivers are still a solid choice for those that can't make the run to the queen side. Cranks have been very productive for guys in the main lake.

Gills/Sunnies: Could be the best fishing in the last 4 seasons right now. Lots of fish being caught in the canals and on the main lake now. They are even catching them UL cranks.

 

Crappies: Some good reports are still coming in a few of the main lake areas are starting to see fish also.

 

Catfish: When ever the flow is up in the Spillway get there fish have been large and numerous at times.Other places to try are Waterfront Park, and Harley Ensign.

 

ROCK BASS!!!!!! They have been on fire this spring with some really big ones being caught.

[Justin Clark]

After a weekend of rain we have started to get back in the groove again out on the lake. The water had cooled a little thanks to the rain, but has this weekend grows near we should be back in good shape again. There has been a lot of wood kick out of the rivers so watch for debris in the water has you move about out there. We are starting to see a mayfly in the morning, but they are very light right now.

We now have large bass minnow and leeches in stock. Also we have sales going currently in the store and online. 25% off just about all panfish plastics, 30% off Rapala original and Jointed Raps, 30% Wyandotte worms and a few other things. All remaining X-Zone products are $3.99 and is in store only on those.

 


Bass: As of yesterday the fishing has picked back up to pre rain catch rates for guys. We have fish in all three stages on the lake right now and we should see schools of fry soon in the shallows and around weeds. Anglers are having success with a wide array of lures right now. Senko/Dinger type worms, drop shot baits, tubes, cranks, swimbaits and some spy bait action is happening right now. With the mayfly starting the top 1/3 of the water column could be the place to be in some areas so the topwater bite should start to happen soon. The depths guys are targeting are varied , from 12 to 2 FOW. But that is expected, while the fish are in all three stages.Selfridge, Miles Roads and the bays have been good places to start your hunt for the Lake St. Clair bronzebacks.

Walleye: The queenside is still the most productive part of the main lake. The stained water near metro and Gino’s is still producing fish. From what I am seeing guys are fishing way to deep the large schools of bait fish are in tight to shore. Those that have casted at night from a boat or shore have been getting a few just about every night so the fish are there but scattered.

 

The St. Clair river has been good for those Jigging, Whipping and pulling harness. We have gotten reports from all three channels.

 

Perch: Scattered is the best way to put it right now. You do have to work for them a bit, but they can be had.

 

Gills/Sunnies: Beds have started to pop up in a few areas and the catch rates are still good on these guys through the whole lake US and Canada side.


 

Catfish: Harley Ensign, Metro Point and Spillway are producing fish. Shrimp, and green crawler have been working best, and both are in stock.

[Justin Clark]

We have had lots of pop showers which have added color along the shoreline in some areas which has helped the shore fishing and also the walleye fishing. The main lake has remained fairly clear despite all the rain and wind. Fishing overall has been good all over the lake. Like all weeks there are some off days and some days they are really on!!!

 

Bass: There are still fish in all phases but the post spawn pattern has been the strongest. 6 to 12 FOW is the go to depths right now. The following baits have been flying off the shelf here at the shop for local and out of towners alike, so I think it's safe to say this is what they are catching them on.

 

1) Soft Swimbaits such has Kietech, Strike King, Stank X Bait and Micro Spoons

2) Spybaits from Duo and Lucky Craft mostly in the 80 sizes

3) Dropshot worm style baits like the Dream Shot, Robo Worm and Z Drop Worm

4) Tubes in Green Pumpkin, Formula G3, Sweet Green and Goby Colors

5) Senko style baits have also been solid choice at the northern end of the lake from the reports we have gotten in.

 

Baits like Erie Darters, Fin-S, and Shad Shape worms are also great choice all summer on the dropshot rigs.

 

 

Walleye: The up and down keeps going on but since the weeds have really popped up in some areas guys are starting to catch them. The Mayflies are hatching to get those harnesses up high in the top 2 to 4 feet of the water column just above the weeds and you should get into the walleye there has been limits caught in the past week 

 

Perch: Reports are coming in of 20 fish days of nice keepers from throughout the lake. 400 Club and off the Clinton River have been good for the guys. Perch Rigs and slip floats. Work the weed beds.

 

Gill/Sunnies: They are on the beds through out much of the lake

 

Muskie: For the most part the season has started off ok for guys. The fish have started moving to the near shore structure and the deep weed lines.

 

White Bass: Have started to really show up throughout the lake right now. Great action has happened off the Clinton river from shore and Metro. If you're in a boat look for bird working and the area and boils from them pushing shiners to the surface has they feed.

[Justin Clark]

Ok I am with you guys, mother nature needs to settle herself down so we can fish in stable conditions. Instead we have been dealing with the every changing weather this past week or so. But with that said guys are still having some great days on the water. I did notice an algae bloom in the shallow near the shop here a few days ago. The Emerald shiner spawn is in the last few weeks of it so the lake should have a nice influx of them in the lake soon which may help the perch bite. Also it seems like just about ever bug that hatches in this lake is hatching right now. So you guys in the go really fast boats cover up.  

 

Bass:From all the reports I am hearing the spawn is basically done so we should start seeing fry any day now on the lake. The best depths have been from 8 to 12 FOW. DT 6's &10's, Strike King XD3 and other similar diving cranks have been productive. Drop-shot rigs have also been a high percentage producer for guys. Tubes are always a favorite. Spy baits have also been catching fish when things get stable for a few days.

 

Perch: Guys that are putting the work in have been getting them. Other then that guys have been keeping tight lipped on location and depth.

 

Walleye: Best thing to say is spotty in the lake, the St. Clair River is the best place for constant bite.

 

Gill/Sunnies: They are the beds and very large fish are being caught out on the main lake.

 

Muskie: What few reports I got seems the Canadian side was best.

[Justin Clark]

Well that Gale was fun lol. Surprisingly the fishing wasn't slowed down to much for many of the fish that have left the shallows (4 FOW or less). The lake has a tint to it and the minnows have started to group up in the open water. We have had some stellar panfish reports come in this week from the delta. Bass Tourney Season is in full swing now that boat the US and Canadian side are open. Muskie season is also in full swing has well. 

The North winds of Saturday's gale had pushed a lot of cold Lake Huron water down the St. Clair River and into the lake. Sunday morning much of the lake had a Aqua Blue tint to it. The Water temp reports have been telling us that a 5 to 10 degree drop happend over the weekend. It took a few days for some areas to get fired back up, but they have picked back up. The mayfly hatch; aka the hex has also kicked back into gear. We had clouds flying around the shop this morning. 

Bass: The best depths to target right now are 8 to 15 FOW . You need to work to local some of the new weeds that have started to grow out in the deeper depths. Once you locate them fishing has been really good for guys. Crankbaits such has Rapala DT's 6's &10's, Strike King 3XD and 5XD, Fat Free Shad and other similarly sized deep diving cranks have really started to catch some fish. Once you have located a good area with fish the Spybait from Duo have also been doing well. They should net you a few more big fish bites. As always the dropshot and tubes are stable producers.


Perch: The main lake has given fish in here and there kind of deal. But the delta area has given up some good catches once you locate the fish. Slip floats and Perch rigs have been the most used tactics.

Walleye: The US shoreline has been on and off things. Guys have had a hard time hammer out a solid pattern. There has been a few limits off the 400 Club in 10 to 15 FOW. The Stoney Point area in Canada has also been good. Reports of walleye starting to setup in the summer areas have started to filter in. 

Muskie: Reports have come in of action picking up in the St. Clair River for guys catching them from shore like last year. 

Gill/Sunnies/Crappies: Reports from the canals , delta, and the northern bays have been very good as of the last few days. Some large fish over 10 inches have been reported. The Crappies have also started to show back up in a few area and the avg size has been really good.

Also we have only two of our rental boats left for sale stop on by and have a look.

[Justin Clark]

Well bugs, and the constant changing of the weather has made things a little tougher the last few weeks. But this week we have started to see things getting better on many fronts. Emerald Shiners have also finally started to get larger which is great news for those going after perch. The lake temps have finally hit the 70's every where I have been on the lake so the fish should be getting into there summer areas. The weeds are growing well even in the deep water now.  We should have Walpole tags available here in the shop soon , 1 day, 7 day, and season passes for those that fish over there.

 

Bass: Good numbers are being caught in 9 to 12 FOW from 14 mile south to about 9 mile area. If your goal are the big girls start your search in the deeper summer area here on the US side and Canada side. Tubes, Drop shot and Spybaits have been they most protective baits lately. In tubes stick with your darker green like Triple Threat, Green Pumpkin, Mari Gras, Formula G3 and road kill colors. There has been a few days where smoke and off the wall colors like Ruffes Poop have done well also. In dropshot baits try a Zoom Z Drop, Angler's Choice Kill shot, and the Shad Shape Worm from Yamamoto. We have 17 new sku's of Duo Spinbaits coming in soon. Some of these are brand new colors and colors are old colors in new sizes.

 

This fish was caught by John Maniaci at last nights cash for bass tourney and it took 2nd for big bass that night.

Perch:  We have gotten reports from 4 areas as of late. South of the B Marker area, Buoy 27-28, St. Clair Light area and 13 FOW out from 10/11 mile area. Locate weeds the perch should be in and around them to hide from the bass and muskie. Slip Floats and perch rigs such has the Drop-shot perch rig or the Domka Tight line have done well for guys. The 4th area is up on the flats working the in and around the reed beds.

 

Muskie: If your casting work from Metro Point down to masonic area with buck tails and soft plastics in 18 to 12 FOW around Cabbage beds. If your looking to troll head out a little deeper or over to Canada.