Early Fall Fishing on Lake St. Clair: Smallies, Largemouth, and Tying Baits for the Bite

Artificial Lure here, coming to you live with your September 5 Lake St. Clair fishing report—just as the sun crests the eastern horizon at 7:03 AM. You’ll see it dip behind the trees tonight at 7:56 PM. With water temps in the low 70s and crisp 50-degree morning air, we’re in prime early fall transition mode. No tides to speak of—St. Clair is a lake through and through. A patchy morning fog is burning off quick, and the barometer’s steady—ideal for a full day on the water. Expect a high near 73, winds light out of the NW at 6-9 mph, perfect for chasing smallmouth along open flats or largemouth tucked in the weeds. Afternoon could throw some clouds your way, but no sign of major storms. Fishing activity’s heating up ahead of the weekend tournaments, and pressure’s been consistent since those B.A.S.S. Elite pros rolled through yesterday. Local anglers and pro circuit chasers were pulling in impressive numbers, especially smallmouth. The bite’s been best from 6 AM through midday and again in the last couple hours before sunset—classic St. Clair action. Catches this week? Let’s break it down: - Smallmouth bass: The star of the show. Anglers logged 7,500+ catches this season, with many reporting 2-3 lb footballs, and a few topping 5 lbs. Shallow sand flats near Metro Beach and deep breaks by Anchor Bay are loaded right now. - Largemouth bass: 39,000+ landed this season according to area logs. They’re cruising dock lines and inside weed edges, especially at the mouth of the Clinton River. - Northern pike: Over 6,600 this season. The east side by Goose Bay and around Strawberry Island’s weed beds is your best bet. - Bonus drum, perch, and the occasional muskie—plus some big bluegill off the points. Best baits? It’s finesse season for St. Clair bass: - Yamamoto Ned Senko in green pumpkin is crushing, especially paired with black marabou jigs tipped with Shad Shape Worms. These combos are hauling up bass everywhere from deep rock to shallow grass, reports from B.A.S.S. Elite coverage confirm. - Big Bite Baits’ Scentsation Cliffhanger Worm—high scent, soft body, and bass just won’t let go. - For pike and big largemouth, toss a Hammer Trap or Boom Boom Frog—these noisy baits get strikes in both open water and heavy cover. - Live shiners and crawfish remain the best bets if you’re fishing for numbers—or if the bass get tight-lipped after a front rolls through. Don’t sleep on the Slinko Floater, fished Ned-style along rocky transitions, or the tried-and-true 5-inch Senko in watermelon for flipping deeper boat docks. Hot spots for today: - Anchor Bay: Smallmouth are feeding on shad schools near drop-offs—work the Ned rigs and small swimbaits low and slow. - Metro Beach: Early bite for largemouth in shoreline pads and smallmouth on open flats. - Mouth of Clinton River: Largemouth and pike in the morning—try pitching spinnerbaits in stained water. Be sure to check Michigan’s latest fishing regulations and keep those live wells clean, since St. Clair’s Lar This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.