Ice Fishing on Lake St. Clair: Navigating the Chilly Conditions for Perch, Bluegills, and More

As of January 17, 2025, Lake St. Clair is offering some exciting ice fishing opportunities, despite the chilly conditions.

**Weather and Ice Conditions:**
The water temperature at Bell Isle is a cold 32°F, and most shore access locations around the lake are frozen and fishable. The ice is generally solid, with Metro Marsh having been frozen for about a week, featuring several inches of glare ice[1].

**Sunrise and Sunset:**
Sunrise today is at around 7:58 AM, and sunset will be at approximately 5:07 PM.

**Fish Activity:**
Yesterday saw some good catches, particularly of yellow perch. The current leader in the biggest perch contest brought in a 13-inch perch weighing over a pound and a quarter. Perch are found in tight schools, especially in areas like Metro Marsh, where bluegills and pumpkin seeds are also abundant. Large mouths are also being caught, often unintentionally, in these areas[1].

**Best Lures and Bait:**
For ice fishing, vertical jigging with ice fishing jigs is highly effective. Using minnows as bait can attract perch and other species. In areas like Metro Marsh, where the ice is clear and there's little weed cover, jigging carefully can help settle the fish and improve your chances[1][3].

**Hot Spots:**
- **Metro Marsh:** This area is ideal for those looking to avoid the wind and find some of the oldest, most stable ice on the lake. It's a great spot for bluegills, crappie, and even pumpkin seeds.
- **The Basin at Metro Park:** This area recently froze over and has about 4 inches of ice. It's a bit sketchy near the day sale, but further out, the ice is more reliable. Be cautious and use a spud to test the ice[1].

Remember to be careful on the glare ice, as it can be very clear and the fish can be skittish. Enjoy your time on Lake St. Clair, and stay safe.