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Late Fall Bounty: Chilly Winds, Bountiful Bass, and Perch on Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair locals woke this Thursday morning to chilly temperatures around 3°C and a stiff southwest wind pushing 15 to 20 knots, shifting westerly by afternoon, with waves between 2 and 4 feet. The skies are heavy and mostly cloudy, and there’s just a chance of light rain or even a dusting of snow as we get late into the day, so layer up and maybe pack that thermos. Sunrise came at 7:17 AM, with sunset expected at 5:20 PM—prime daylight for any diehard out on the water according to the National Weather Service.
No tides to watch here, but those winds will test boat handling—keep safety first and expect fish to relate to wind-driven structure and current breaks. Lake St. Clair continues to show off her late fall bounty, with the latest Michigan DNR reports noting strong smallmouth and largemouth bass action, excellent size structure, and multiple year classes confirming the health of the fishery.
Anglers out the past week have been especially successful with smallmouth bass on flats near sharp breaks and subtle current edges. Tube jigs in green pumpkin or smoke, 3/8 oz drop-shot rigs with smaller plastics like the Strike King Dream Shot or Half Shell, and small paddle-tail swimbaits have all been top producers—especially in overcast, choppy conditions when fish push shallower. Jonathon VanDam and other local pros swear by the vibrating jig (bladed jig like a Chatterbait) for both largemouth and smallmouth, especially when searching for aggressive fish after a front pushes through.
Recent chatter on local docks and trip reviews through Captain Experiences confirms solid multi-species activity, with walleyes and pike in the mix for those running crankbaits or trolling mid-basin structures. Perch bite has been decent for the past few mornings on live minnows, particularly near Anchor Bay and the mouth of the Clinton River; the key is moving with the schools as they shift with the water temperature and bait transitions.
Best baits today: for bass, rig up a drop-shot with Morning Dawn or natural bait colors, or work tubes bounce-and-drag style along breaks and weed edges. Swimbaits in perch or white shad are a good bet—make that first cast count, especially around bait schools. For perch and walleye, tip your rig with live emerald shiners or fathead minnows. Don’t shy away from bright colors if the sky stays grey; add a bit of chartreuse or orange to trigger bites.
Hot spots worth fishing today:
- **Metro Beach Flats:** Look for rocky outcrops with weed transitions; smallmouth and some big largemouth are staging here as water temps drop.
- **Anchor Bay:** Perch and walleye are favoring the deeper holes and inside turns, responding best to live bait on gentle drifts.
- **Mile Roads near Grosse Pointe:** Consistent numbers of bass, plus a bonus pike or two on spinnerbaits and jerkbaits.
Fish counts have varied with the front, but seasoned guides report solid half-days of 10–30 bass (mostly released for conservation), with perch buckets ranging 20–40 fish for those dialed into the schools. The Michigan DNR notes no recent concerns for population; catch-and-release remains encouraged as we move deeper into the cold season.
Bundle up, keep an eye on those winds, and bring your best electronics to follow the moving fish. Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake St. Clair fishing report—don’t forget to subscribe for updates.
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Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago