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Lake St. Clair Fishing Report: Smallmouth, Muskie, and Perch Bite Strong for Early Fall
Artificial Lure here, checking in with your Lake St. Clair fishing report for Friday, September 26, 2025.
We’re kicking off with today’s weather on the lake: It’s shaping up as a classic early-fall scene, with morning temps in the upper 50s, peaking in the mid-60s by afternoon. Skies are partly cloudy after sunrise at 7:20 AM, with sunset coming at 7:27 PM. Winds out of the northwest at 6–10 mph mean a bit of chop, but nothing unsafe for bass boats or pontoons. No storms in the immediate forecast, but keep a rain jacket handy as light showers could linger from overnight.
Tide-wise, Lake St. Clair doesn’t have true tidal swings—being a freshwater body connected to the Great Lakes—but boaters should watch for minor fluctuations influenced by wind direction. With today’s persistent northwest breeze, expect water pushed toward the south shore and some mild current around the mouth of the Detroit River.
As for the bite: The last week has brought a stellar run for anglers, particularly those targeting **smallmouth bass, muskie**, and the ever-reliable **yellow perch**. According to YouTube’s recent local footage, hard-fighting smallmouths are on the feed along mid-depth rock piles and weed edges, with several boats landing 20–30 bass on a good morning. Muskies have been active—one boat hooked four in a six-hour stretch earlier this week, with the biggest pushing 46 inches. Perch numbers are solid near the Metropark pilings and off Harsens Island.
Yesterday’s lake-wide tournaments saw top teams averaging 13–16 pounds for five bass, with the biggest smallmouth at over 4 pounds. Ned rigs, drop-shot rigs, and tube jigs made up most of the winning tackle, with ChatterBaits and swimbaits accounting for bonus fish around shallower weed beds. According to Michiana Outdoors News, these patterns mirrored results at other area lakes, so the technique is holding steady.
Hot lures right now:
- **Green pumpkin Ned rigs**
- **Shad or perch pattern swimbaits**
- **White or chartreuse spinnerbaits**
- **Chrome and blue lipless crankbaits**
Best bait for perch is still a simple **minnow or red worm** on a drop-shot or slip bobber setup.
Muskie anglers are reporting best results trolling jointed crankbaits (black/silver or firetiger), or casting extra-large bucktails with copper blades.
For locations, a couple spots are producing consistently:
- **Mile Roads Reef** (10–16 feet) has produced great smallmouth limits and bonus rock bass.
- **Anchor Bay**, particularly off Fairhaven launch, is hot for muskies and perch.
- **Harsens Island channels** are stacking with yellow perch and the odd walleye.
- **Delphine Channel** for bass moving into fall feed mode—target rocky drops and scattered cabbage beds.
Boat traffic’s lighter post-Labor Day, so there’s room to roam. Most catches have come mid-morning to mid-afternoon, just as the water warms and baitfish schools move up.
Local guides echo the reviews—folks are catching with both **artificial lures and live bait**, and light tackle is the way to go this week. Several trips reported 30+ bass landed per boat, with a mixed bag including white bass and pike.
Thanks for tuning in! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss a tip, and good luck on the water. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago