Fishing the Detroit River and Lake Erie's Fall Bite - Walleye, Bass, and Perch Action Before Winter Sets In

As of November 1, 2024, the fishing scene on Lake Erie and the Detroit River is shaping up to be quite interesting, despite the approaching winter season. ### Weather and Tidal Conditions The weather today is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 55°F and a low of 45°F. Winds are moderate, coming from the northwest at about 10 mph. Sunrise was at 7:43 AM, and sunset will be at 6:02 PM. Tidal conditions are relatively stable, but the water levels can fluctuate slightly due to wind and rain events. ### Fish Activity Fish activity has been decent, especially for those targeting walleye, smallmouth bass, and perch. Yesterday, anglers reported catching a mix of walleye, with some decent sizes, particularly in the deeper areas of the Detroit River. Smallmouth bass are active as the water cools down, and they can be found near weed edges and structural elements. ### Types and Amounts of Fish Caught Yesterday saw a fair number of walleye catches, with reports of fish ranging from 18 to 24 inches. Smallmouth bass were also plentiful, with many anglers catching them in the 2-4 pound range. Yellow perch are still active, especially in the shallower waters near the river's shoreline. ### Best Lures and Bait For walleye, using jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers has been effective. Smallmouth bass are hitting well on Ned rigs, tube jigs, and swimbaits, especially those mimicking crayfish or shiners. For perch, small jigs with maggots or meal worms are working well. ### Hot Spots One of the hot spots right now is the area around the Delray ramp in the Detroit River, where walleye and smallmouth bass have been consistently caught. Another good spot is the mid-river area, particularly around the weed edges and drop-offs, which are attracting smallmouth bass and perch. Overall, it's a good time to get out on the water before the winter season sets in, and with the right lures and bait, you can expect a productive day of fishing on Lake Erie and the Detroit River. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.