Podcast Episode Details

Lake St. Clair Fishing Report - Smallmouth Blitz, Perch Scattered, Ideal Conditions for Boats and Kayaks

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Artificial Lure here with your Lake St. Clair, Michigan fishing report for Friday, September 19, 2025.

Sunrise came at 7:11 AM with sunset expected at 7:36 PM, giving us a great early fall window for chasing action on the water. We’ve had calm northeast winds this morning, steady at around 8 knots, with water temps hovering at a comfortable 68°F. Air temps are sitting in the mid-60s, so it’s hoodie weather out there. Lake conditions are nearly flat with less than a foot of chop—ideal for both boat and kayak anglers, according to live buoy data from the National Data Buoy Center. With Lake St. Clair being non-tidal, water levels are slightly lower this week, so pay attention to the edges of weed beds and shipping channel drops, where the fish love to stack up when currents slow.

Bass fishing remains the main headline, and the smallmouth bite is still on fire by all accounts. The Outdoor News crew has reported “red hot” smallmouth action, especially for those drifting golden shiners or working tubes and spinnerbaits. Tournament guys have been hauling in solid numbers, with many adult fish ranging from two to three pounds and the occasional four-plus making it to the net. Recent tournament footage shows teams catching back-to-back smallmouth in the 2 lb 11 oz to 3 lb range, along with a few chunky largemouth mixing in near the muddy margins and river mouths.

As we transition into late September, smallmouth are piling onto shallow feeding flats, rocky humps, and current seams. Prime time is mid-morning through early afternoon, when the sun gets up and those shallows warm just enough to fire up the bite. This is a great window for fan casting along rocky points and weedline transitions across Anchor Bay and the Mile Roads. Don’t overlook the mouth of the St. Clair River, either—a classic highway for migrating bass, and the current edges there have been productive with active fish.

Best bets for baits right now: drop shot rigs armed with Berkley MaxScent Flatworms, G-Crack Bellows Shad, and traditional tubes in green pumpkin or goby pattern. Swimbaits and blade baits are starting to trigger reaction bites as the fish fatten up for fall. According to recent tournament chatter, both the exposed hook drop shot and compact jig heads are getting bit, especially when paired with an 1/8 or 3/8 oz weight to keep contact along the bottom. For live bait folks, drifting golden shiners or small chubs is as close to a sure thing as it gets for steady action.

On the perch front, action’s been a little hit-and-miss compared to previous weeks. Reports from Michigan Sportsman forums say yellow perch are still scattered, but the bite seems best around grassy flats and isolated rock piles, especially when schools are located through persistent searching. Harnesses tipped with minnows or small soft-plastics are the go-to for filling a panfish basket if you stumble on a pod of active eaters.

The hottest spots lately:
- **Mile Roads (9 to 12 Mile) for consistent smallmouth off weedlines and points.**
- **The St. Clair Light/Shipping Channel for deeper smallies and bonus walleye.**
- **Anchor Bay edges and Metro Beach weed beds for mixed bags and a shot at late-summer largemouth.**

Today, expect steady action throughout the day with best results on drop shots, Ned rigs, and blade baits. If things slow, try downsizing or moving deeper—these bass are on the move and fattening up quick. Water clarity is fantastic, so a natural presentation can make all the difference. And don’t forget to pack a windbreaker; with pressure slowly falling, a midday breeze could push some fresh fish onto the ledges.

Thanks for tuning in to the Lake St. Clair report—be sure to subscribe for more local tips and real-time action. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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