Rookie on Detroit River for Smallmouth

[Rookie32]

I am going to be fishing the Detroit river area around the middle to end of Setember. This will be my first trip. I have an 18 ft. bassboat with 150 Merc. I have been reading on some techniques. I just need a good place ( fishing spot ) to get started. any advice will help. I will be launching at Elizabeth Park Marina.

[SethV]

BFL is going out of Eliz park on Sept 19 & 20.


That time of year the mouth of the river where it meets Erie is pretty good.  Fish start moving shallower.  Look at the map, tons of structure within 8 miles of Eliz park.

Seth

[djkimmel]

Weed edges around Celeron Island can be good that time of year.

You'll be in a lot of current so anything that breaks current can hold feeding bass. Points, weed beds, rocks.

Stay in the marked channels until you see where you are going safely before running across shallow areas. Lots of scattered hazards off the channels.

Hopefully, you'll get kind winds, but FYI - if you get a wind blowing into the channel current, waves will be bigger in the current areas than they are outside of the main currents.

[motocross269]

Don't forget to try the Up river side of those current breaks....I don't know what it is but sometimes those river Smallmouth like to sit up river of a break...

[djkimmel]

I agree - the most active bass are often in the smaller current break facing upstream. They get the first crack at the conveyor belt food coming by.

[Skulley]

I fish Erie more than any where else.  All the advise you have just read are great tips.  You should be able to do well all the way out to Colchester that time of year.  You will probably see me out there.  I will be fishing out there this weekend.  I would actually advise launching at Erie Metropark.  Launching there will cut off about 2 miles if you are headed to the big lake.  Lots of great places to fish in the river mouth.  That usually heats up starting the end of August right through till mid-October.  PM me and I will give you some better specifics.

BD         

[Rookie32]

Thank you all but what happends if the winds are strong out of the south and I cant fish the mouth?

[REEL_MAN]

Go north and fish LSC south shore, Thats thats the advantage of starting out at elizabeth park, you can go north or south and have great fishing when weather is a factor.

REEL MAN

[River Rat]

Um, not trying to step on toes but I'd tell a River "rookie" to be very careful heading to LSC from Elizabeth in a strong south wind... That means they have to negotiate The Mile in a wind against the current plus the added beauty of tuna boats and cruisers to really stir-up the freighter waves.  For some of us, it's manageable, others who are not familiar might not make it back so happily.

I'm not advising against it honest, just want all the info there.  How many guys have come into town for the Stren or Chevy Open and leave with their heads hanging?

Scott

[Skulley]

If there are strong south winds, you would be better off launching at St. Jeans to fish the LSC south shore.  I would rather put gas in the truck and drive to the launch than launch further away and run the boat all the way that far north.  A little common sense goes along way however sometimes common sense isn't so common.

BD           

[matt]

I was there last week....All the advice is dead on.I was fortunate to go with 2 buddies of mine who are pretty knowledgeable about that area and do really well.Definitely becareful though.