Lake St Clair Fishing Report: Smallmouth Surge, Walleye Trickle, and More

Good morning anglers this is Artificial Lure with your Lake St Clair fishing report for Saturday May 17 2025.

The sun rose this morning at 601 AM and will set at 859 PM giving you a full day to chase fish on the water. Weather’s shaping up seasonal with light winds and temps in the low 60s early, warming up into the 70s by midday. Some patchy clouds are drifting through, but overall it looks like a comfortable day to be on the lake. There’s no real tidal swing on Lake St Clair but wind direction can move water and stir up clarity especially after a blow.

Water levels are up after a recent stretch of winds, and the water is slightly stained in spots especially in Anchor Bay and along the Mile Roads. After last week’s high wind muddied things up, clarity is starting to come back especially on the west and south shores. Water temps are now hovering around 58 degrees which has the smallmouth in classic prespawn mode.

Smallmouth bass are the main attraction right now and they’ve been on fire when you find them shallow. The bite was a little tougher right after the blow a week ago, but things are picking up as the water clears. Anglers are reporting solid catches in the middle of Anchor Bay, along the Mile Roads, and near the mouth of the Clinton River. Fish are staging and starting to move up to beds. Look for active smallmouth in 4 to 7 feet of water around scattered rock and emerging weedbeds. Most fish are running 2 to 4 pounds with some bigger bronzebacks showing up—five-pounders have definitely hit the nets this week.

Best lures lately have been the Great Lakes Finesse Juvy Craw and Sneaky Underspin with a swimbait trailer. Tube jigs and small swimbaits in green pumpkin or shad colors are also top picks. Finesse presentations on spinning gear are getting it done, especially when the bite is finicky in clearing water. Remember to work your baits slow and let them soak in promising spots.

A few random largemouth bass are mixed in with the smallies, especially in the thicker weeds inside the bays. Perch catches have slowed but you might find a few near the Metropark and the weed edges off Harley Ensign. Walleye reports from the channel mouths are sporadic but a few anglers trolling crankbaits just after sunset have picked up some nice eaters.

Hot spots for this weekend include the Mile Roads from 9 Mile to 13 Mile, the flats off Metro Beach, and the mouth of the Thames River on the Ontario side for those with proper licenses. The middle of Anchor Bay has also been good for those drifting or casting tubes.

That’s your Lake St Clair report for May 17. Get out there and enjoy the spring bite. Good luck and tight lines!