Lake St. Clair Fall Fishing Forecast - Muskie, Bass, and Perch Opportunities Abound

As of October 12, 2024, the fishing scene at Lake St. Clair is looking promising, especially with the fall season in full swing. Here’s what you need to know for a successful day on the water.

### Weather and Tidal Conditions
The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 62°F and a low of 48°F, making it ideal for fishing. Since Lake St. Clair is not a tidal body of water, you don’t have to worry about tidal changes, but be aware of the wind conditions which can affect the water.

### Sunrise and Sunset
Sunrise is at 7:43 AM, and sunset is at 6:33 PM, providing a good window for both morning and evening fishing.

### Fish Activity
Fish activity has been robust, particularly for species preparing for the colder months. Muskie anglers have been doing well, especially when casting rather than trolling, with catches reported from the spillway to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Smallmouth bass fishing, although slow, has seen some success near the 9 Mile area and in Anchor Bay. Largemouth bass have been active in the canals, especially on inclement days.

### Types and Amounts of Fish
Perch anglers have had decent luck near the dumping grounds and the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club while drifting or anchored with perch rigs. Walleye anglers have found success in the mouth of the south channel. A few Chinook salmon and steelhead have also been caught while trolling spoons.

### Best Lures and Bait
For muskie, casting with larger spoons and spinners has been effective. Smallmouth bass are biting on artificial baits like Flicker Shads in shallow waters. Perch are responding well to minnows and perch rigs. Walleye are being caught using nightcrawler harnesses and crank baits. For salmon and steelhead, spoons, especially those in chartreuse and green/silver combinations, are working well.

### Hot Spots
- **Bolles Harbor Boat Launch**: Shore fishing here has been good, with anglers catching similar species to those at Sterling State Park.
- **9 Mile Area**: This spot has seen some activity for smallmouth bass and is worth checking out.
- **Grosse Pointe Yacht Club**: Both muskie and perch anglers have reported catches in this area.

Overall, Lake St. Clair is offering a variety of fishing opportunities as the fall season progresses. Make sure to adjust your tactics according to the weather and fish behavior. Happy fishing