Top Tips for Catching Walleye on Lake St. Clair
Lake St. Clair may be best known for its smallmouth bass and muskie, but it’s also a sleeper spot for quality walleye fishing—especially in spring and fall. Here’s how to dial in your approach:
1. Focus on the Detroit and St. Clair River Mouths:
Walleye migrate in and out of Lake St. Clair via the connecting rivers. The mouths of the Detroit River (south end) and the St. Clair River (north end) are prime staging areas, especially in spring and late fall.
2. Troll Harnesses and Crankbaits:
Crawlers on bottom bouncer rigs work great in warmer months. In cooler water, troll crankbaits like Flicker Shads, Bandits, or Rapalas behind planer boards at 1.2–2.0 mph, targeting 10–20 feet.
3. Drift or Jig When Conditions Are Right:
On calm days or when fish stack up, vertical jigging with a ⅜ to ¾ oz jig and soft plastic or live bait can be deadly, especially in the channels or near rock piles and humps.
4. Target Subtle Structure:
Lake St. Clair is relatively shallow and featureless, so even slight depth changes, weed edges, and gravel transitions can hold fish. Use your electronics to locate them.
5. Use Natural Colors in Clear Water:
Water clarity on St. Clair is often high. Natural or translucent jig and lure colors (white, silver, perch, gold) often outproduce bold ones unless the water is stained.
6. Don’t Overlook Night Fishing:
In late spring through early fall, walleye often feed actively after dark. Casting shallow-diving crankbaits along weed edges or rocky points after sunset can be very productive.
7. Stay Mobile:
Lake St. Clair walleye roam more than in rivers. If you’re not marking fish or getting bites within 30–45 minutes, don’t be afraid to move until you find active pods.
Lake St. Clair may be best known for its smallmouth bass and muskie, but it’s also a sleeper spot for quality walleye fishing—especially in spring and fall. Here’s how to dial in your approach:
1. Focus on the Detroit and St. Clair River Mouths:
Walleye migrate in and out of Lake St. Clair via the connecting rivers. The mouths of the Detroit River (south end) and the St. Clair River (north end) are prime staging areas, especially in spring and late fall.
2. Troll Harnesses and Crankbaits:
Crawlers on bottom bouncer rigs work great in warmer months. In cooler water, troll crankbaits like Flicker Shads, Bandits, or Rapalas behind planer boards at 1.2–2.0 mph, targeting 10–20 feet.
3. Drift or Jig When Conditions Are Right:
On calm days or when fish stack up, vertical jigging with a ⅜ to ¾ oz jig and soft plastic or live bait can be deadly, especially in the channels or near rock piles and humps.
4. Target Subtle Structure:
Lake St. Clair is relatively shallow and featureless, so even slight depth changes, weed edges, and gravel transitions can hold fish. Use your electronics to locate them.
5. Use Natural Colors in Clear Water:
Water clarity on St. Clair is often high. Natural or translucent jig and lure colors (white, silver, perch, gold) often outproduce bold ones unless the water is stained.
6. Don’t Overlook Night Fishing:
In late spring through early fall, walleye often feed actively after dark. Casting shallow-diving crankbaits along weed edges or rocky points after sunset can be very productive.
7. Stay Mobile:
Lake St. Clair walleye roam more than in rivers. If you’re not marking fish or getting bites within 30–45 minutes, don’t be afraid to move until you find active pods.
