Do you like to fish for walleye? Detroit River walleye fishing can be great at times. By reading this guide you will know how and where to fish the Detroit River for walleye.
Why is the Detroit River Popular for Walleye Fishing?
The Detroit River is one of the most renowned destinations for walleye fishing in North America. Fast currents and its connection to the Great Lakes make it one of the best walleye fisheries in the North. The Detroit River is positioned between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, acting as a passageway for walleye during their seasonal migrations.
- Strong Currents: The fast-moving water provides an oxygen-rich environment, perfect for walleye.
- Nutrient Flow: Nutrients carried from the Great Lakes create a food supply, including baitfish like shad and minnows.
- Structure Variety: The riverbed includes drop-offs, ledges, and rocky areas where walleye prefer to hide and hunt. They can also be found on the sand flats of the river.
Detroit River Shore Fishing
Detroit River walleye fishing from shore is effective, easy, and fun. In the Spring, anglers can catch their limit of walleye right from the shore. Walleye can also be caught from shore during the late fall and winter months. Both of these prime times have to do with the water temperature.
Belle Isle State Park – Detroit Michigan
Bishop Park – Wyandotte Michigan
Refuge Gateway to the Detroit River – Trenton Michigan
Gil Maure Park/Riverdance Park
Windsor Riverfront – Windsor, ON
Reaume Park/Pillette Docks – Windsor, ON
Lakeview Park Marina – Windsor, ON
King’s Navy Yard Park – Amherstburg, ON
Jigging Walleye on the Detroit River
Boat Fishing Opportunities
The most popular boat ramp is in Trenton, MI for Detroit River walleye fishing. This is where most tournaments leave from. Jigging is the same technique as shore fishing, except there are key advantages to using a boat. Drifting can allow fishermen to cover ground quickly to find a productive area. Just like shore fishing the heavier the jig the better in the spring, you want to keep it on the bottom and make short hops. Spot lock has been a successful technique in the past few years as well. Once you find the bottom structure you like, spot lock makes it easy to stay on top of that area.
In the past couple of years, forward-facing sonar has taken over walleye jigging. Using forward-facing sonar in the Detroit River can be challenging because of the current. The live transducer must be located separate from the trolling motor to stay on fish. While fishing Canadian waters from the United States or vice versa, make sure you read the regulations and follow them. If you want to learn more about jigging for walleye we have an in-depth article on walleye jigging.
Where to Walleye Fish
Choosing where to go walleye fishing on the Detroit River isn’t difficult. The mouth of the Detroit River is a great place to look for spawning fish in the spring. Trolling at the mouth of the river is popular, especially with spring tournaments in the area. Likewise, this can be a great area in the Fall as the fish make their way back to the river. In the river itself, look for steep drop-offs with structure. These areas will hold the most walleye. If fishing during the middle of the spawn, shallow rocky areas will hold fish. Use electronics to find bottom structure and fish. The US or Canadian side holds plenty of walleye during spawning season.
If you have specific questions we can answer them on our Facebook page located at Lake Erie Fishing Reports.