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Lake St. Clair Fishing Report: Smallies, Perch, Muskie & Cats Bite Strong on Transition Waters
Artificial Lure here with your Saturday, September 27, 2025, Lake St. Clair fishing report. Sunrise hit at 7:20 a.m., and sunset will slide in tonight at 7:23 p.m. We’ve got classic early fall weather in southeast Michigan—temps kicking off in the low 50s this morning, climbing to the mid-60s by late afternoon. Winds are light out of the northwest at about 7 knots, with occasional gusts but mostly glassy conditions. Water clarity is decent and boat traffic is mellow, perfect for anglers looking for fish on the move.
Tide activity isn’t a big play here on St. Clair, but the falling barometer and light chop are combining for solid fish activity windows throughout the morning and late afternoon according to the Lake St. Clair, Michigan Daily Fishing Report.
Right now we’re still riding that September transition bite. Smallmouth bass are blitzing bait and stacking up on rocky points and breaklines. Reports from last night’s Four Flags Classic, as featured on Michiana Outdoors News, are loaded with smallies—top bags coming in around 31.5 pounds for two days, including a 4.95-pound tournament big bass. Anglers found most fish in 8 to 12 feet of water on the main lake. Natural-colored Ned rigs, flat worms, and minnow baits did damage, but a tube or grub bounced near current seams is also working.
Perch are schooling tight and feeding strong along the weeds and in bay edges. The Michigan Sportsman Forum is buzzing with steady action in 6 to 12 feet—that means marinas, channel mouths, and inside bends are all worth a look. Best results come with emerald shiners or spikes on light rigs, but don’t hesitate to throw a tiny jigging spoon; plenty of eaters and the occasional bruiser mixed in.
Muskies are starting to show more as water temps drop. Trollers working the South Channel and Anchor Bay edges have been moving a few fish, especially around noon. Natural shad or perch pattern crankbaits, as well as the classic bucktail spinner, still rule. Keep a jerkbait rod on deck for the lonely follow.
Catfishing is still decent for those after a mixed bag. Channel cats upward of 20 pounds get pulled from the deeper holes near the shipping channel and around the Metropark dump grounds. Nightcrawlers, cut bait, and shrimp on a slip rig will all tempt a whiskerfish or two—confirmed by Michigan Catfish records, Lake St. Clair regularly coughs up fish in the 10- to 25-pound range.
If you’re itching for a hot spot, Metro Beach weed edges continue to produce both bass and perch. The Mile Roads, especially in the 9- to 12-foot window, are also putting up consistent numbers. For perch, check the deep holes off Selfridge and the inside weed pockets near Harsens Island. Muskie hunters are best to ply the St. Clair Light area at sunrise or Anchor Bay on a front.
Today’s best baits and lures:
- **Smallmouth:** Ned rigs, tubes, drop-shot rigs with flat worms, and slim minnow baits in greens, browns, and translucent shiner colors.
- **Perch:** Live shiners, spikes, and red worms, or micro jigs under slip floats.
- **Muskie:** Mag Dawgs, bucktails, big crankbaits, and jerkbaits.
- **Catfish:** Nightcrawlers, cut bait, and shrimp.
Boat anglers and kayakers both have the field wide open today. Conditions are inviting—just keep an eye out for isolated showers later in the day.
Thanks for tuning in. Be sure to subscribe for more daily Lake St. Clair updates and tips. 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