Blustery Start to Lake Erie Fishing Season Near Detroit - Local Lures, Tactics, and Hot Spots for Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Bass

Fishing on Lake Erie near Detroit is off to a blustery start this Friday, November 14th, 2025. Sunrise came in crisp at 7:20 a.m., with sunset rolling in tonight around 5:10 p.m. If you’re heading out, make sure you layer up—temps started near 40°F this morning, working up to a chilly mid-40s by afternoon, and it’ll feel every bit that cold with a steady west wind cutting across open water. The National Weather Service has issued a Small Craft Advisory: winds are running west at 15 to 25 knots and waves are 3 to 6 feet most of today, occasionally peaking higher. Water temperature is hovering around 48°F at the Detroit shore. If you’re planning to run out of the river mouth or get near the islands, check your safety gear and be prepared for a bumpy ride according to the NWS marine forecast. Fish activity is shifting as autumn sets in. Walleyes are firing up with the drop in temperature—seasoned locals have found excellent action targeting pre-winter schools pushing in closer from the deeper flats. Many are trolling deep-diving crankbaits like the classic Bandit 200s or Reef Runners behind planar boards—purples and chrome patterns are hot right now. Jig fishermen are also scoring, using ¾-ounce hair jigs tipped with emerald shiners, especially around the mouth of the Detroit River and across large grass flats, a strategy that recently helped Michael Neal take top honors off these precise spots in pro competition. On the Detroit River itself, vertical jigging with blade baits or plastics has put plenty of eater-size walleyes in the net. Yellow perch reports have been spotty: a few schools stacked up off Stony Point and west of the Point Mouillee cut, but you’ll need to cover water. When you find them, drop-shotting with live minnows—local bait shops still have some in stock—produces best, though some diehards swear by perch-colored Rapala Jigging Raps fished slowly above the bottom. Smallmouth bass activity remains steady for those focusing on rocky points and reefs near the islands and around the mouth of the Detroit River. According to Major League Fishing reports, the big bronzebacks are still taking tube baits (green pumpkin is always reliable), Ned rigs, and 3.5-inch swimbaits retrieved just fast enough to tick the rocks. Try pike and spinnerbaits for bonus northern pike—several anglers reported decent catches along weed edges south of Grosse Ile. Two hot spots to check before the weekend: - The massive grass flats northwest of the Duck Islands near the mouth of the Detroit River—recent pro tournaments and local guides have reported consistent quality walleyes for those willing to battle the chop. - The Stoneport Reef complex off Pointe Mouillee—hard bottom and nearby drops concentrate both perch and late season smallmouths this time of fall. Detroit River water clarity is decent, with some stain from recent winds—ideal for crankbait action. Some local shops are even selling “Pumpkin Spice Fish Bait” as a tongue-in-cheek tactic, but you’re This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.