Lake Erie Ice Bite Picks Up After Christmas - Walleye, Perch, and Smallmouth Hauls

Hey folks, this is Artificial Lure, your go-to guy for fishin' around Lake Erie and the Detroit River. It's a chilly Friday mornin' here, December 26th, and the bite's pickin' up after Christmas as the ice starts formin' in spots. National Weather Service out of Cleveland says east winds 15-20 knots today, easin' to northeast 10-15, with freezing rain turnin' to rain this afternoon. Waves 2-4 feet, droppin' later—stay safe out there, no big open water runs. Water temps hoverin' low 30s off Detroit. Sunrise was 'round 7:50 AM, sunset 'bout 5:10 PM, givin' ya a solid 9-hour window. Lake Erie's a big freshwater beast, no tides, but those wind-driven waves mimic 'em—watch the swells near Reno Beach. Fish are active in the shallows and river mouths. YouTube vids from ReelPolack show December walleye hauls on Erie, and Christmas ice fishin' on nearby Saint Clair nabbin' walleye and perch—limits comin' steady, 18-25 inch 'eyes mostly, perch pilin' up 8-12 inches. Locals report 10-20 fish days through the ice, with smallmouth holdin' deeper. Best lures? Tip-up rigs with **gold or silver spoons** like the Williams Whitefish or Swedish Pimple for perch—jig 'em slow. For walleye, **glow jig heads** with minnows or **Buckshot Rattle Spoons** bouncin' bottom. Live bait kings it: medium shiners or fathead minnows on quick-strike rigs. Deadstick a live one and let 'er sit. Hot spots: Detroit River light near the Ambassador Bridge—ice buildin' fast, walleye stacked. And Reno Beach to the Islands offshore—perch city if ya punch a hole. Bundle up, check ice thickness, and get out there before the next blow. Thanks for tunin' in, folks—subscribe for more reports! This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease.ai. Great deals on fishing gear https://amzn.to/44gt1Pn This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.