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Lakes & Reservoirs

Lake St. Clair Fishing Guide

Michigan

A shallow lake between Lakes Huron and Erie, among the best smallmouth and musky fisheries anywhere.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lake St. Clair for smallmouth bass, walleye and muskellunge. The best months overall are Apr to Nov. In October, smallmouth bass, walleye and muskellunge are in season, and Clouser Minnow, Pike and Musky Fly and Ned Rig are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 12 bait and tackle); the closest is Lakeside Fishing Shop in St Clair Shores, 10 mi away. Detroit River is 28 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Apr to Nov

In October

Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Muskellunge

Methods

Fly fishing, Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Lake St. Clair Species

Smallmouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Oct

Walleye

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Muskellunge

Prime Now
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Best: Jun to Nov

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

8 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Clouser Minnow #1/0-8

    Fly

    Streamer · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Fly

  • Pike and Musky Fly 6 to 10 in

    Fly

    Streamer · Muskellunge

    Shop This Fly

  • Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Hard Bait · Muskellunge, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · Big glide or jerkbaits in fall.

    Shop This Lure

  • Ned Rig 2.5 to 3 in

    Lure

    Finesse · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Walleye

    Shop This Lure

  • Tube Jig 3 to 4 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass

    Shop This Lure

  • Jig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Walleye

    Shop This Lure

  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Walleye

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Smallmouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Walleye

Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Muskellunge

Fly 9 ft 10 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, big articulated flies, 80 lb bite tippet.

Spin / Cast 8.5 to 9 ft heavy casting rod, 400 size reel, 80 lb braid, 130 lb fluorocarbon leader.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lake St. Clair

Crankbaits

Rapala Shad Rap

A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.

Check Price

Rigs

Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness

Crawler harnesses trolled behind bottom bouncers for summer walleye.

Check Price

Rods

St. Croix Musky Casting Rod

A heavy, long casting rod for big bucktails, jerkbaits, and figure-eights.

Check Price

Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Nets & Tools

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Reels

Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Lake St. Clair

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Rivers & Streams · Michigan · 28 mi

Detroit River

A spring walleye run of national fame on the river between Detroit and Windsor.

Walleye · Smallmouth Bass

Lakes & Reservoirs · Ohio · 56 mi

Lake Erie

Western basin walleye water around Port Clinton, the self-styled Walleye Capital, with smallmouth around the islands and perch through fall.

Walleye · Smallmouth bass · Yellow perch