Lake St. Clair Fishing Report: Walleye, Pike & Smallmouth Bite Ahead of Ice-Up

Artificial Lure coming to you with today’s fishing report for Lake St. Clair and the surrounding Michigan waters, Monday, November 24, 2025. First off, let’s talk about the conditions out there this morning. Sunrise hit at 7:34 AM, and sunset will close things out at 5:03 PM, so plan accordingly for short daylight windows. NOAA’s Station 45147 is showing a brisk east wind, right around 15 knots, with water temps cooling off to 53 degrees and the air hovering around 46 this morning. Waves are moderate, about 2 feet, thanks to that steady wind. With the pressure at 30.15 and slowly dropping, fish are likely to be active early before any weather moves in. Now for today’s solunar bite window and best fishing times—FishingReminder is calling prime activity for late morning through early afternoon. With the moon waxing gibbous, expect extra feeding around midday and a smaller window again just before sunset. Recent catches have been strong for late November. The edges of Lake St. Clair have been giving up good numbers of **walleye**. There’s been reports of limits caught just outside the channels, including a recent haul of 16 solid ‘eyes, several pike, a few perch, and the odd smallmouth—biggest walleye pushing 7 pounds, according to local tournament chatter. Northern pike and perch are still holding in the weedy bays, while smallmouth action is slowing but not dead—look for the occasional football on deep transitions. Best baits right now are definitely **jigs tipped with minnows** for walleye—three-eighths ounce hair jigs in chartreuse or white, with a live emerald shiner or fathead, are producing. Anglers are also getting bit on blade baits near drop-offs, especially when the wind churns things up. Trolling stickbaits like Reef Runners, Flicker Minnows, and original Rapalas has been solid in 8-12 feet along stained edges; purple and silver have been lights-out in the overcast. For pike and perch, a simple slip bobber rig with a small shiner or fathead is pulling strikes around the Metropark and up near Harley Ensign. Bass guys, if you’re still grinding, Ned rigs and drop shots with natural goby patterns will find the last active bronzebacks near the Mile Roads or Huron Pointe. As for hot spots, a couple locations standing out this week are: - **Mile Roads:** Especially between 9 and 11 Mile, the deep edges are holding mixed bags of walleye, perch, and the last smallmouth. Fish these with jigs or blade baits on windblown breaks. - **The Shipping Channel near St. Clair Light:** Still giving up good walleyes on trolled crankbaits, especially at dawn and dusk. Follow contour changes and watch for bait balls on sonar. If you’re shorebound, Metro Beach and the mouth of the Clinton River are worth a look—locals are still pulling perch and a few decent pike on live bait. Season’s winding down, folks, but the fish are feeding ahead of ice-up. Remember, temps are dropping fast—dress warm, watch for icy ramps, and keep those hands dry. Thanks for t This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.