Lively Smallmouth and Largemouth Action in Lake St. Clair, Michigan on a Sunny September Day

Artificial Lure here, bringing you the Friday, September 5th fishing report for the Lake St. Clair region, Michigan—where the bite’s been lively and the sun’s rising on what looks to be another banner day for anglers.

Let’s start with the weather: It’s a classic early September morning in southeast Michigan. Skies are partly cloudy, with light winds out of the southwest, making for ideal boat conditions. Expect a high around 76°F today with minimal humidity. Sunrise hit at 7:03 AM and sunset will wrap up the day at 7:59 PM, giving anglers a prime window, especially for that golden hour bite. Lake St. Clair isn’t tidal, so current patterns are mostly driven by wind, not lunar cycles.

Fish activity has been solid all week, and today should be no exception. According to Bass Fishing Daily, smallmouth and largemouth bass have been especially active in the mornings and late afternoons. Anglers are reporting consistent bottom action with smallmouth staging deeper, around 12–16 feet, close to breaks and rocky transitions, while largemouth are hugging the weed edges in slightly shallower water.

Recent catches logged on Fishbrain show that largemouth bass are dominating the numbers, with over 39,000 reported in the region this year, alongside 7,500+ smallmouth and notable Northern pike and rock bass showing up in the mix. Bluegill are ever-reliable along the Stony Creek and Anchor Bay shallows—always a good fallback for light-tackle anglers or those fishing with kids.

Best baits this week have been finesse-focused. The Ned rig, especially with a Yamamoto Ned Senko in green pumpkin, is producing on those pressured smallmouth around the Mile Roads and the Canadian side mid-lake humps. Mix in a black marabou jig—ideally tipped with a small Shad Shape Worm—for clear-water days and you’ll keep rods bent, even if some fish are running just below tournament weight. For largemouth in the thick stuff, Big Bite Baits’ Scentsation Cliffhanger Worm, Texas-rigged, gets results in the marina cuts and weed beds. Frogging in the evenings using Boom Boom Frogs can trigger explosive topwater blows near Anchor Bay and the Clinton River mouth.

Live bait anglers are having luck with jumbo leeches and nightcrawlers under slip bobbers, especially for bluegill and perch, while fathead minnows fished just off bottom are tempting bonus walleye in the shallower channels.

If you’re chasing trophies, Clinton River spillway and the Metro Beach area are hot spots—both seeing regular five-pound bass and the occasional pike over thirty inches. The Mile Roads, especially 9 and 13 Mile, continue as go-to points for consistent multi-species catches. For morning action, try the Canadian shoreline humps if you’ve got proper permits, or Anchor Bay for aggressive topwater bites before boat traffic picks up.

Local tournaments are ramping up; National Bass Federation District 10 and B.A.S.S. Elite Series anglers have been scouting St. Clair intensely. Dustin Taylor, a rising star in the River Rats club, has been working these waters in prep for next month’s semifinals and reports quantities on finesse plastics and spinnerbaits near deep rock-to-sand transitions.

Remember, Michigan DNR regulations can shift seasonally, so double-check your limits and keep those licenses handy. Stay safe by watching for early fall fog—visibility can drop quickly at dawn.

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