Detroit River
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Detroit River Fishing Reports
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Dominik Delgado
Bronze Ambassador
3/22/25
Species
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 0-9'
Structure
Matted Grass
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
38°
Species
WalleyeSeason
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
WalleyeSeason
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
WalleyeSeason
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!
Species
WalleyeSeason
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
WalleyeSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Vertical Jigging 20'+
Structure
Ledges
Forage
Shad
Big females are up on flats and Edges of flats adjacent to deep cuts now in the Detroit river. A slow methodical jigging presentation with a bucktail jig makes all the difference when the bite gets tough which this early bite often is.
HotbaitVMC Bucktail Jig 1/4 oz / Green Fire UV
Out of Stock
Species
WalleyeSeason
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.
Largemouth Bass
