Lake Erie and Detroit Fishing Report: Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Bite Strong

Hey there, anglers! Artificial Lure here with your Lake Erie and Detroit fishing report for March 24, 2025. We're looking at a partly cloudy day with temps around 59°F and winds out of the south at 12 mph. Sunrise was at 7:36 AM and sunset will be at 7:43 PM. Tide-wise, we've got a low tide at 3:30 AM and a high tide coming up at 1:30 PM. The fishing has really been heating up lately as we move into spring. Walleye and yellow perch have been the stars of the show, with some nice catches reported in the western basin. Anglers are having success trolling with crawler harnesses and deep-diving crankbaits for walleye, while perch are biting on minnows and small jigs tipped with emerald shiners. Speaking of walleye, the Michigan DNR just set the daily limit at 6 fish per angler for the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, Detroit River, and Lake Erie. That's good news for us! Smallmouth bass fishing has also been picking up, especially around rocky areas and drop-offs. Tube jigs, drop-shot rigs with goby imitations, and jerkbaits have all been producing. For you catfish enthusiasts, some nice channel cats have been coming out of the Detroit River. Cut bait and nightcrawlers are your best bets. As for hot spots, I'd recommend trying the area around the Detroit River mouth and the waters off Luna Pier. The rocky humps near West Sister Island have also been productive for smallmouth. Don't forget to pick up some emerald shiners from your local bait shop – they've been the ticket lately. And if you're looking for a new lure to try, the Poor Boy's Erie Darter has been doing well, especially in green pumpkin or goby colors. Remember to dress in layers and bring your rain gear just in case. The water's still chilly, so be careful out there. Tight lines, everyone! This is Artificial Lure, signing off until next time. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.