Detroit River Fishing Reports (September 2026)

Belle River, Canada

Reported 1 month ago

Lake St-Clair is currently fishing the best it has all summer. Smallmouth are firmly in their summer water and easy to catch in the shorter 6-10" sand grass that covers the vast majority of the middle of the lake. Tubes, drop shot minis style baits and Ned rigs type baits are all working well and moving baits like swimbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits have been good when the wind blows.

Mike K. Belle River, Canada Reported 1 month ago

Lake St-Clair is currently fishing the best it has all summer. Smallmouth are firmly in their summer water and easy to catch in the shorter 6-10" sand grass that covers the vast majority of the middle of the lake. Tubes, drop shot minis style baits and Ned rigs type baits are all working well and moving baits like swimbaits, crankbaits and jerkbaits have been good when the wind blows.

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George C.

Monroe, Michigan

Reported 1 month ago

Salmon Lake, Michigan Manistee

George C. Monroe, Michigan Reported 1 month ago

Salmon Lake, Michigan Manistee

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Mike K.

Belle River, Canada

Reported 2 months ago

Smallmouth bass season is now in full swing on Lake St Clair. Fish are making the move from the spawning grounds to offshore and can be caught in the medium and deep depth range, and there are still some stragglers up shallow that can be targeted. Ned rig type presentation seem to be getting the most bites, particularly when able to be Fished deep on lightweights, but you need favourable wind conditions to be able to do that effectively. The spybait and jighead minnow has also been extremely productive. On windy days we're catching our fish cranking deeper running crankbaits...

Mike K. Belle River, Canada Reported 2 months ago

Smallmouth bass season is now in full swing on Lake St Clair. Fish are making the move from the spawning grounds to offshore and can be caught in the medium and deep depth range, and there are still some stragglers up shallow that can be targeted. Ned rig type presentation seem to be getting the most bites, particularly when able to be Fished deep on lightweights, but you need favourable wind conditions to be able to do that effectively. The spybait and jighead minnow has also been extremely productive. On windy days we're catching our fish cranking deeper running crankbaits in the 12 to 16 foot range. As well as dragging drop shots.

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Mike K.

Belle River, Canada

Reported 2 months ago

Fishing in the Canadian side of Lake St-Clair right now is very good. Perch are still spawning and when they are found it is abundant. Walleyes can always be found close to the perch as well and are aggressive. Seeing this mostly in 14-17 FOW. Perch and walleye are being taken with drop shot rigs and swimbaits.

The USA side is now open for smallmouth bass and is always productive. The Smallmouth are grouping up now in post spawn schools off shore and when you find one there is typically many close by. Seeing these schools now in and around...

Mike K. Belle River, Canada Reported 2 months ago

Fishing in the Canadian side of Lake St-Clair right now is very good. Perch are still spawning and when they are found it is abundant. Walleyes can always be found close to the perch as well and are aggressive. Seeing this mostly in 14-17 FOW. Perch and walleye are being taken with drop shot rigs and swimbaits.

The USA side is now open for smallmouth bass and is always productive. The Smallmouth are grouping up now in post spawn schools off shore and when you find one there is typically many close by. Seeing these schools now in and around the 13-16' depth range. Swimbaits, crankbaits and A-rigs shine this time of year but a drop shot, tube and a hover minnow are also excellent options when the fish don't want to chase.