Lake Michigan Fish Species

Detroit Fishing Season Guide: What to Catch Year-Round

Seasonal Fishing in the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair

Fishing in Detroit offers exceptional year-round opportunities, especially in the Detroit River and nearby Lake St. Clair. In the spring, anglers target walleye, one of the most sought-after species in the region. The annual walleye run draws thousands of fishermen each April and May, as these fish migrate upstream for spawning. During this season, jigging near the bottom is highly productive. Spring also marks the beginning of action for smallmouth bass and northern pike, especially in warmer shallow bays and river mouths.

Summer in Detroit brings peak fishing for smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and muskie in Lake St. Clair. These species thrive in the warm, weedy shallows and provide consistent action through August. Early mornings and late evenings are especially productive for bass anglers using soft plastics and topwater lures. Muskie fishing also ramps up, with trolling and casting along weedlines and drop-offs producing solid results. In the Detroit River, catfish and panfish become more active, offering family-friendly angling options.

As fall arrives, fishing in Detroit shifts toward trophy muskie, walleye, and late-season perch. The cooling temperatures and shorter days trigger aggressive feeding behavior. Trolling large baits for muskellunge becomes more effective, and walleye return to shallower areas, making them more accessible. Perch fishing picks up in the deeper pockets of Lake St. Clair, ideal for anglers using light tackle and minnows. Even into early winter, as long as conditions allow, Detroit continues to offer productive fishing trips targeting cold-water species before ice fishing begins.

What kind of fish are in Lake Michigan?

Lake Michigan is home to a variety of fish species, including Chinook salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, brown trout, steelhead trout, walleye, and yellow perch. Summer Skool Sportfishing offers charters targeting these popular species, providing anglers with a diverse and exciting fishing experience on Lake Michigan.

What's the biggest fish caught in Lake Michigan?

The biggest fish caught in Lake Michigan was a 47-pound Chinook salmon. Summer Skool Sportfishing offers charters targeting Chinook salmon and other trophy fish, giving anglers the opportunity to reel in their own record-breaking catch.

What fish is popular in Michigan?

The most popular fish in Michigan include trout, salmon, walleye, and bass. Summer Skool Sportfishing offers exciting charters targeting these popular species, providing anglers with memorable fishing experiences on Michigan's waters.

A Summer Skool Sportfishing Fishing Charter targets the top Lake Michigan Fish species including Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon. Walleye, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout. We primarily Fish the Lake Michigan, White Lake.