Detroit River
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Detroit River Fishing Reports
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Reports from all past years within a 60-day time frame
Species
Walleye
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 20'+
Structure
Ledges
Forage
Shad
Species
Walleye
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 20'+
Structure
Ledges
Forage
Perch
Water Temperature
36°
Fishing is still hit or miss on the river. Spent most of the day around the bell isle bridge had 5 bites and landed 2 fish. Water is still around the 36-38 degree with a slight stain. They were smacking the hair jig just couldn’t seem to keep them pinned. Darker fluke on a dark 1oz jig head also seem to work.. marked a ton of fish mid to upper river just not aggressive yet.. also ran some spot on the Canadian side water was 38-39 but muddy had a few short strikes but that was about it.
Species
Walleye
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 10-19'
Structure
Shad
Vertical jigging flats and edges of flats adjacent to deep water yield the biggest walleye of the year in late March in the Detroit River. Varying your jigging cadence, height and intensity is key to getting these big early spawners dialed in.
Species
Walleye
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 20'+
Structure
River Channels
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
47°
Short snaps and keeping your line directly under the boat produced the best results
Species
Walleye
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 20'+
Structure
Baitfish
Forage
Perch
Rig a Lunker City Fin-s-Minnow or your favorite soft plastic on a 3/4-1oz jig head with a stinger hook. 35-40 feet deep, surface water temp should be around 40 degrees
Species
Walleye
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 20'+
Structure
Ledges
Forage
Shad
The Detroit River water temps are remaining unseasonably cold as our weather here is a bit behind. To combat the occasional slow bite I’ve gone to a blade bait which is convincing lethargic pre spawn fish to bite when it gets tough. Alternating from lowering it down to dropping it to free fall has made the difference.
Species
Walleye
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 20'+
Structure
Ledges
Forage
Perch
The pre spawn on the Detroit river is a great time to go for numbers and size. Find where current breaks (bridges, old pilings, deep seawalls) The current is strong on the river so make sure to point your head of your boat into the current and make sure to keep your bait as vertical as possible, using a 3/4 jig head with a fluke style bait tipped with a minnow is the way to go!! Fish range from 10-30 foot this time of year. Look foot differences in water clarity as well!