Lake Saint Clair

[BurlakaUS]

I am going to be fishing LSC in a couple of weekends. Hoping to get into some small mouth but experience with them is small. We are going to be launching from Harley Ensign (?). What type of cover should I be looking for? I was planning on using a drop shot, ned rig or a jig and pig. Any recommendations for other techniques or general areas? (Not looking for exact honey holes but general guidance).

[Siebert Outdoors]

Everything I have seen is 10-15 FOW and weeds.   The baits you listed are good and probably something like a Missile Dbomb, or Tube.  As you know in 2 weeks the weather and water temp up there can change a lot. 

[MickD]

Fish will be out from weeds, so don't be afraid to back off some from them.  Could be just about any depth.  They really like sun, so don't be surprised if they turn off when the clouds go through, then pick up when the sun pokes out.  Don't stop fishing around noon, with the right conditions they'll hit any time.  You can usually see them on a depth finder, and they often hit right under the boat.  If you miss a strike, leave it, they often come back even though you think they felt the hook. 

 

Best drop shot is probably the small Z-too minnow in white or The Deal color.  With all soft lures, usually some shade of green is usually best.  Goby colors too.

 

If you find some fish in shallow/clear enough water to see dark spots, fish them.  

 

When you catch one, you often can see others following the fish, drop a white tube or minnow to them even as you are fighting the first fish.  The others are coming for cleanup of the fish's stomach emptying.  Which is white.

 

Of course if you find rock piles, they usually hold fish. 

 

We found fish off the Canadian shore in from 10 to 14 feet last week.  But it was really tough when the sun was not out.  Do NOT go into Canada without Canadian licenses.  Big problem if caught. 

[MickD]

I forgot to mention that at times Rapala DT's of the right depth for the water you're fishing are quite good.  Slow retrieve, try steady + stop and go.  Ike's Smash is best color , I think, although I had a follow on bright orange last week.  As the water cools deep hard suspending jerks can get effective.  Sharp snaps.  

 

https://www.lakemonster.com/lake/MI/Lake Saint Clair-water-temperature-1536

[redmeansdistortion]

Go fish the flats at the mouth of the St. Clair River by Harsens Island.  You can launch from either Decker's or the North Channel launch.  That's the best spot for them during late summer and early fall.  Just make sure you get out before the tuna boats get out there.  The tuna boats start getting thick in the early afternoon.  Good chance you'll hook into a musky or three while you're at it.  They all hang in the reeds and feed on the perch.  

 

Oh yeah, howdy neighbor!  Warren here as well, 13/Schoenherr area.

[Darth-Baiter]

this lake is on my list.  maybe next year.   drive cross county to meet a friend in Rochester MN.

 

i fantasize about it.  i think i would buy tubes and hair jigs..hahha.. maybe those finesse jigs from keiteck.  

 

good luck.  take pics cus i'll need the intel. hahhaha

[redmeansdistortion]

58 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

i think i would buy tubes and hair jigs..hahha.. maybe those finesse jigs from keiteck.  

You're on the right track.  Paddle tails, grubs, and tubes rule the roost in the area I mentioned above.  Avoid treble hooked lures, you'll get snagged so much you just might think about taking up golf instead.  The flats are very shallow, I'm mostly fishing in 4' to 6' of water, and it's great fishing as long as the ice is off the water.

[12poundbass]

Rock piles

 

Rock piles

 

Rock piles

[Hollada]

We caught around 40 smallies fishing a derby Saturday.  Had 21 lbs by 10 AM and could only upgrade ounces till we had to go in at 3.  Weighed 21.7 lbs.  we were in anchor bay.  Find tall weeds and fish the edges with dropshot.  I fished 2 colors of baby z too - blue glimmer pearl belly when the light was low and Arkansas shiner as the sun got high.  Also caught a few on a spybait during a period when no wind was blowing.

 

there’s fish everywhere in the lake.  Lots of 3-3.5 pounders this year though I did weigh a 6.14 two weeks ago.

 

if the wind is blowing, go hide in channels or the sni.

 

I fish LSC 2-4 days per week.  Going to be visiting Canada in the morning.  HMU if you have any questions.

[Jorligan]

Any specific areas on the Canada side?

 

Fished the tall weeds over near where the river comes out using a jerk bait, multiple 3-4 lbs.  Not part of the tournament but watched you all launch on Sat.  

[JWall14]

I fished the BFLs on St clair this summer and last weekend. Obvious structure is going to be humps and the channel. Rock piles are numerous on the southern US side near the Detroit river mouth. If you look on a map there is a giant hump extending into the lake from Canada’s south shore. It’s a community hole but very good. All these can be good. Drop shots, Ned’s, jerkbaits, spy bait, swimbaits, etc. are all players. As stated above there is a lot of different types of grass around the lake. Try to see if you can build a pattern on that.

[BurlakaUS]

On 8/30/2022 at 12:13 PM, redmeansdistortion said:

Go fish the flats at the mouth of the St. Clair River by Harsens Island.  You can launch from either Decker's or the North Channel launch.  That's the best spot for them during late summer and early fall.  Just make sure you get out before the tuna boats get out there.  The tuna boats start getting thick in the early afternoon.  Good chance you'll hook into a musky or three while you're at it.  They all hang in the reeds and feed on the perch.  

 

Oh yeah, howdy neighbor!  Warren here as well, 13/Schoenherr area.

I am near 12 / Dequindre. We should get together and fish it this week. Any chance on Monday? I don't have a boat... yet.

[TOXIC]

19 hours ago, Hollada said:

We caught around 40 smallies fishing a derby Saturday.  Had 21 lbs by 10 AM and could only upgrade ounces till we had to go in at 3.  Weighed 21.7 lbs.  we were in anchor bay.  Find tall weeds and fish the edges with dropshot.  I fished 2 colors of baby z too - blue glimmer pearl belly when the light was low and Arkansas shiner as the sun got high.  Also caught a few on a spybait during a period when no wind was blowing.

 

there’s fish everywhere in the lake.  Lots of 3-3.5 pounders this year though I did weigh a 6.14 two weeks ago.

 

if the wind is blowing, go hide in channels or the sni.

 

I fish LSC 2-4 days per week.  Going to be visiting Canada in the morning.  HMU if you have any questions.

Bank on this.  Only change I’d make is to use a Yamamoto Shad Shape Worm on your dropshot.  Goby or Perch colors. ??

[redmeansdistortion]

5 hours ago, BurlakaUS said:

I am near 12 / Dequindre. We should get together and fish it this week. Any chance on Monday? I don't have a boat... yet.

I don't have a boat either, I fish in waders most of the time.  Steelhead should be running the Clinton come October, lots of great fishing all the way from Edison Field at Clinton River Rd and Schoenherr to Yates Dam.  Pull some nice ones out of there often, once I learned the river.  I'd be more than happy to go fishing, just a little hard for me to get out as I had a daughter born a few weeks ago.  I'd like to get out a few times before the freeze.

[BurlakaUS]

16 hours ago, redmeansdistortion said:

I don't have a boat either, I fish in waders most of the time.  Steelhead should be running the Clinton come October, lots of great fishing all the way from Edison Field at Clinton River Rd and Schoenherr to Yates Dam.  Pull some nice ones out of there often, once I learned the river.  I'd be more than happy to go fishing, just a little hard for me to get out as I had a daughter born a few weeks ago.  I'd like to get out a few times before the freeze.

Congrats on the newest member of the family. I have fished the Clinton with mixed success. Yes there are some beasts in there. The Huron near Flat rock also has provided some big steelies. Good luck in the future.

[redmeansdistortion]

20 hours ago, BurlakaUS said:

Congrats on the newest member of the family. I have fished the Clinton with mixed success. Yes there are some beasts in there. The Huron near Flat rock also has provided some big steelies. Good luck in the future.

Thanks for the kind words.  Speaking of the Clinton, the smallie action is on fire right now from Budd Park to the spillway.  The water is low enough and warm enough to wet wade if that's your thing.  That's where I usually fish them this time of year.  They'll be in there good for the next month or so.

[BurlakaUS]

Thanks for all of the help. Managed to land a 2.75 and a 2.0 lb smallmouth. tough fishing last Sunday, waves were about 2 foot. landing fish was a challenge as was keeping your balance. 15 depths seem to hold fish if there were weeds.

[MickD]

Find the weeds, then work your way away from them.