[MrPaul]

For years I have jigged the Detroit River for spring Walleyes. Since I now live in Ira, anybody got info on jigging the St. Clair River for walleyes? Does anybody jig there? Same techniques and tackle? What areas?

Thanks!

 

[Dogfish247]

Mr. Paul,

You can certainly use the same techniques and tackle in the St. Clair River as you've done down in the Detroit River. Find any points, eddies, etc. and these spots will always produce some fish. Saturday the river temps were 36 degrees and the water was pretty cloudy. We ended up with five fish out of seven hookups with the biggest two running about 7 lbs. You won't usually find the hogs like down in detroit but you also don't have any crowds to contend with either. A nice trade off in my opinion. You can fish anywhere in the st clair river system and find fish. Try out by the bottom end of the north channel this time of year in about 17- 25 foot of water. There is a decent state launch at the end of Anchor Bay drive as well as another state launch right on M-29. We also fish the Algonac area up past the main walkway. The state launch at Algonac has good depth and is never too crowded for the size they made it. Another good spot is up near Marine City. Be careful using the Marine City State launch. Although the water levels are up a little this year it can be tricky getting out from that one. Canadian or American waters are both productive. With the warmer weather forecasted, the winds should finally be coming out of the south and this will clear the water up nicely.

Good luck to you! And welcome to the area!

JC

 

[MrPaul]

Thanks JC

Are you saying that walleye can be found, (spawning), in the north channel, by Deckers or farther down closer to grassy?

Any other spots to try if I boat up from Deckes to Algonac?

I am planning on going down to the Treton Channel this Sunday, but if I can find fish in the north channel, I will try it next week, I keep my boat at Compass Pointe and a quick ride across the bay sure beats a hour+ of trailering!

Let me know how you do, if you get out this week.

Thanks Again

 

[Dogfish247]

Mr Paul.

Yes that whole stretch from Deckers down to grassy island is great this time of year. Further up towards Algonac out in front of the state park and also out from Snoopy's dog house lounge is good(just look for the chugger's anchored up to find that spot). Really just hunt around some and it isn't to hard to find fish. Same rules apply "keep it vertical"!!!

Best of Luck to ya!

JC

 

[Canuck]

MrPaul,

I have fished the St.Clair River the past few weeks for salmon. I talked to a few locals last week
that said they do really well jigging for walleye. They said it would be a few more weeks, but that
they get in the area pretty thick. I troll, but there were quite a few guys jigging for salmon and they
seemed to be catching more than the trollers. The trollers were getting larger fish. They were also picking
up the occasional walleye. We fished just south of the Edison Plant in Marine City. This warm weather
predicted should get the eyes going up there too soon. Oh, they were all jigging spoons. Good luck!

 

[milmo]

Canuck,
I have been really wanting to chase the spring salmon in the St Clair! I just don't know how to, where to, when to, what to use, etc. I usually do really well on the northwest side of the state in fall, but have no clue about the river in spring or fall.
Can you give me any info?
Thanks a million!

 

[Canuck]

Milmo,

We troll with downriggers usually. Last weekend we didn't have one hit off the riggers though. We
caught all three fish off bottom bouncers. Three way swivel, 3-5 ounce weight and green and silver
bomber, rapalla or thunderstick. We've caught all our fish lately with blue back silver belly or green
back silver belly. Start up by the Edison plant and troll down stream. We usuall stay in the 22-27
foot range. We've caught all kings and one coho, but people are catching walleye and steelies too.
Hope this finds you some fish.

 

[milmo]

Canuck,
Thanks for all the great info! How long does this run usually last? Will it still be there come mid-May?
Thanks again!

 

[Canuck]

Not exactly sure, I stick to walleye in the lake at that time of the year. I would guess that
once the water starts to warm up that they'll move to deeper water up in Lake Huron though.
They are stacked in there all winter long due to the warm water discharge from the Edison plant.
I hear they do really well on walleye at that time.

 

[D_Day23]

It all depends exactly where you are planning on fishing. I spent more time up by Port Huron and Marysville. The fish are just starting to show up now (mostly just the real big ones). As the water warms the action normally peaks when the surface temperature is approximately 48-50 degrees (probabaly mid May this year??) I usually hand line until mid June then I switch to drifting with a bottom bouncer.

 

[milmo]

D Day23,
Are you hunting walleye or salmon in mid-May?

 

[D_Day23]

Walleye Mid-May, After reading your post a second time I see that miss read it the first time. I rarely fish for Salmon so I can't help you out much there. Mostly just Walleye, then I head inland to Cass Lake later in the summer.