Detroit River
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Detroit River Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Detroit River. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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- Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonSummerStructureOpen Water/BasinAs fish scatter in late august the bite can become a bit more difficult. An excellent way to search is with an A-Rig. It’s drawing power can tip you off to areas holding more and better fish, you can then slow down and pick off. The odd quick turn of the handle, twitch or brief pause can get followers to commit. It’s an excellent tactic to both find and catch numbers and size on Lake St-Clair.
Omnia Community MemberBronze AmbassadorSpecies
White BassTechniqueVertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')SeasonSummerStructureDocksThat was June 2018, before the pandemic, we caught some white bass at Elizabeth Park by Detroit River.
Dominik DelgadoBronze Ambassador
Species
WalleyeTechniqueVertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureMatted GrassJig low and slow 6 inches off bottom. Pounding bottom made a reaction bite, they couldn’t resist
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueVertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureShad
Vertical jigging flats and edges of flats adjacent to deep water yield the biggest walleye of the year in late March in the Detroit River. Varying your jigging cadence, height and intensity is key to getting these big early spawners dialed in.
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueVertical Jigging Deep (20'+)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLedges
Fishing is still hit or miss on the river. Spent most of the day around the bell isle bridge had 5 bites and landed 2 fish. Water is still around the 36-38 degree with a slight stain. They were smacking the hair jig just couldn’t seem to keep them pinned. Darker fluke on a dark 1oz jig head also seem to work.. marked a ton of fish mid to upper river just not aggressive yet.. also ran some spot on the Canadian side water was 38-39 but muddy had a few short strikes but that was about it.
- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueGrass JigsSeasonFallStructureSubmerged VegetationAs the water temps begin to cool in early to mid fall flipping a grass jig in and around grass lines adjacent to boulder patches can be very productive. The islands in and around the lower Detroit river provide a vast amount of habitat for this pattern. A black and blue jig 3/8oz - 3/4oz with a green pumpkin chunk and just a little chartreuse die on the tips can get the big green fish really fired up. Covering lots of water is key as is fishing the jig fast to not let them get a great look at it as most bites come in the fall.
- SpeciesWalleyeTechniqueVertical Jigging Deep (20'+)SeasonSpring (Pre-Spawn)StructureLedges
Big females are up on flats and Edges of flats adjacent to deep cuts now in the Detroit river. A slow methodical jigging presentation with a bucktail jig makes all the difference when the bite gets tough which this early bite often is.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueHard JerkbaitsSeasonFallStructureBaitfish
The back waters along the Detroit River provide excellent Largemouth Bass fishing as the water temps begin to cool in mid fall. It’s important to dial in your jerkbait to suspend perfectly and/or actually sink very very slowly. On Cloudy days I prefer a bigger bait like the Smithwick perfect 10 rogue in a opaque colour. Worked slowly close to deep water can lead to some very memorable days.
