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Lake St. Clair Fishing Report: Perch, Walleye, and Pike Bites Amid Shifting Conditions
Name’s Artificial Lure, checking in with your Lake St. Clair fishing report.
We’re in that in‑between stretch: skim ice showing up in some marinas and canals, but the main lake is still mostly open. Local chatter from the Michigan DNR and the Michigan Outdoors Report on recent ice conditions says we’re *inching closer* to fishable ice, but it’s not safe yet on the big water, so today is still a boat and shore game, with a few brave souls walking very protected backwaters only where locals know it’s locked up.
Weather-wise, National Weather Service data for the St. Clair Shores area calls for seasonably cold air, light west to northwest breeze, and a mix of clouds and filtered sun. Daytime highs are hovering just below freezing, with wind chill making it feel a touch colder. Sunrise is right around 7:55 a.m., with sunset near 4:59 p.m., giving a tight window where those low‑light bites really matter.
Tides don’t play much of a role here, but wind-driven seiche on the St. Clair River end can push water levels up or down a foot. Today’s lighter winds mean level and clarity should stay fairly stable, which is good news for finesse tactics.
Solunar and moon tables from SolunarForecast and similar services flag the stronger activity around midmorning and again late afternoon, lining up nicely with that shallow perch and walleye feed. Expect a modest but steady bite rather than a lights‑out run.
Recent reports from local bait shops around Harrison Township and the Shores of Lake St. Clair have perch fishing described as “spotty but worth it”: buckets of 10–12 inchers with a few 13s mixed in when you land on them. The best action has been in 10–15 feet along weed edges and inside turns. Walleye catches have been light but consistent at the mouth of the Detroit River and out off the South Channel, mostly eater‑size 15–19 inch fish, with a few 22s showing up for guys staying after dark. A handful of bonus pike and smallmouth have been coming on the same presentations, especially around rocky points and breaks.
For bait, minnows are still king. Shops along Jefferson in Harrison Twp are moving a lot of emerald shiners and fatheads. Perch are chewing on:
- Small jigheads tipped with a single emerald
- Standard perch rigs with lake shiners or rosy reds
- Tiny tungsten jigs in chartreuse, glow white, and orange when you’re fishing under a float or through early shoreline ice
Walleyes are preferring:
- 1/4–3/8 oz jig and minnow combos in chartreuse, firetiger, and gold
- Subtle blade baits like silver or gold Vib‑E style hopped just off bottom
- Slow‑rolled medium‑size hair jigs for the old‑school crowd
If you’re running artificials only, bring:
- **Perch/eyes**: Rapala Jigging Raps, Slab Raps, and small ripping baits in perch and clown patterns
- **Pike/smallmouth**: white or shad‑pattern swimbaits on 1/4–1/2 oz heads, plus silver spoons
A couple of hot spots to circle today:
- **Mile Roads – 9 to 11 Mile**: Drifts along the breaks in 10–15 feet are giving up mixed perch and the odd walleye. Look for subtle inside turns on your chart and concentrate where you mark bait clouds.
- **Metro Beach / Black Creek area**: Protected water that cools fast. Perch have been stacking there first, with a chance at a wandering pike. Slip bobber rigs with minnows near the deep edge of any remaining weeds have been solid.
If you’re farther north, the **Salt River and Clinton River mouth** areas are holding panfish and the odd walleye in the deeper wintering holes. Slow down, keep baits just off bottom, and let the fish tell you how much motion they want.
Keep safety first: check ice every few steps in canals, wear a PFD if you’re in a small boat, and keep an eye on that wind direction.
Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s Lake St. Clair report, and don’t forget to sub
Published on 1 day, 7 hours ago