Lake St Clair 6-Hour Multispecies Adventure
Private Trip
River Fishing
Sixhour multispecies casting adventure on Lake St Clair watersLight tackle and live bait targeting diverse fish speciesSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
Lake St Clair sits right between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, making it one of Michigan's premier fishing destinations. This top-rated 6-hour trip puts you right in the sweet spot where trophy fish cruise year-round. Starting at 8 AM, you'll have plenty of daylight to work different structures and depths while targeting four distinct species that call these waters home. Captain Rocket keeps groups small at just 3 anglers, so everyone gets personalized attention and prime casting opportunities. From May through late September, the fishing stays consistently hot as baitfish schools draw predators into shallow feeding zones.
Your morning kicks off with a quick boat briefing before we head to productive spots based on current conditions and fish activity. Lake St Clair's relatively shallow profile means we can cover tons of water efficiently, moving between weed edges, drop-offs, and rocky points where different species hang out. The light tackle approach keeps things sporting - you'll feel every head shake and run when a smallmouth or northern pike decides to test your drag. Live bait presentations work magic here, especially when fish get finicky during bright conditions. Weather permitting, we'll hit multiple zones throughout the day, adjusting tactics as we read what the fish want. Don't worry about experience level - Captain Rocket walks everyone through proper hooksets, fighting techniques, and landing procedures.
We run light spinning gear matched to 8-12 pound test line, perfect for feeling subtle walleye bites while still having enough backbone for northern pike. Live minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers make up the bait arsenal, rigged on jigs, slip sinker rigs, or under bobbers depending on conditions. When fish are aggressive, we'll switch to casting spoons, spinners, and soft plastics to cover water faster. The boat carries multiple rod setups so you can quickly adapt as we move between species and structures. Depth finder technology helps locate schools of baitfish and suspended walleye, while polarized glasses become essential for spotting cruising bass in the shallows. Captain Rocket provides all terminal tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you prefer fishing familiar equipment.
Walleye remain the bread and butter species here, with solid populations of eating-size fish running 14-18 inches and occasional trophies pushing 6-7 pounds. These golden beauties love structure transitions and respond well to slow presentations along bottom contours. Peak walleye action typically happens during low-light periods, but Lake St Clair's stained water allows for decent midday fishing too. Smallmouth bass bring the fireworks with their aerial displays and bulldogging runs near rocky areas and weed edges. Most bronzebacks fall between 12-16 inches, though 3-4 pound specimens show up regularly during summer months. Northern pike add serious excitement when they explode on presentations near vegetation, often reaching 24-30 inches with occasional giants topping 36 inches. American yellow perch round out the mix as willing biters that provide steady action, especially for newer anglers still learning fish-fighting fundamentals.
Walleye fishing peaks during spring spawning runs in May and June when big females stage in shallow bays before moving offshore. These fish hit live minnows and jigs worked slowly along sand-to-gravel transitions. Summer walleye suspend over deeper water during daylight but move shallow to feed at dawn and dusk. Their excellent table fare makes them a customer favorite, with firm white fillets that taste amazing fried or baked. The challenge lies in detecting their subtle bites - often just a slight tick or weight change on your line.
Smallmouth bass bring non-stop action from late spring through early fall, with July and August producing the most consistent results. These bronze fighters prefer rocky points, shoals, and weed edges where they ambush crayfish and small baitfish. A 3-pound smallmouth fights like a 5-pound largemouth, making multiple jumps and long runs that test your drag settings. They readily hit live bait, soft plastics, and small spoons, making them perfect targets for anglers wanting bent rods and screaming reels.
Northern pike patrol weed lines and shallow bays throughout the season, with peak activity during cooler water periods in May, June, and September. These toothy predators strike with explosive force, often launching completely out of the water before making sizzling runs toward heavy cover. Pike averaging 24-28 inches are common, with trophy potential always lurking in the form of 35+ inch fish. Their aggressive nature makes them exciting for beginners, while their sharp teeth and gill rakers require careful handling techniques.
American yellow perch provide steady action when other species turn finicky, especially during post-frontal conditions or midday lulls. These colorful panfish school up over sand and mud flats, eagerly attacking small jigs tipped with live bait. While they rarely exceed 10-11 inches, perch make excellent table fare and give newer anglers confidence-building action. Kids especially love catching perch because they bite readily and don't require perfect presentation or timing.
This world-class multispecies adventure delivers consistent action across multiple fish species in one of the Great Lakes' most productive fisheries. Captain Rocket's local knowledge and small group approach ensure everyone gets hands-on instruction and prime fishing opportunities. The flexible 6-hour format provides enough time to explore different areas and techniques while fitting most schedules. Lake St Clair's renowned fishery produces year-round, but the May through September season offers optimal weather and peak fish activity. Whether you're chasing your first walleye or hoping to land a trophy northern pike, this trip delivers the goods. Book now to secure your preferred dates - prime weekend slots fill up fast during peak season.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the perfect family fish - cooperative biters that taste amazing fried up. These golden beauties with dark vertical stripes typically run 7-10 inches, though Lake St Clair produces some nice 12-inchers. They school up tight, so when you find one, there's usually more below. Look for them around weed beds, docks, and drop-offs in 8-15 feet of water. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding. Kids love them because they bite readily and aren't too strong to handle. The eating quality is outstanding - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Small jigs, live minnows, and worms work perfectly. My favorite trick: once you catch one, drop your line right back down to the same spot. Perch travel in schools of dozens, so you can often limit out in one productive area.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the lake's apex predators - aggressive, toothy, and built for ambush attacks. These greenish torpedoes average 24-30 inches but can stretch over 40 inches. They lurk in weedy bays, drop-offs, and structure where they can surprise prey. Spring through early summer is peak season when they're shallow and active. What guests love is their explosive strikes and strong runs - they fight hard and jump occasionally. Their razor-sharp teeth make them exciting to handle. You'll find them around vegetation edges, points, and anywhere baitfish gather. Spoons, large jigs, and swimbaits work great. Keep your retrieve steady but not too fast - they like wounded-acting prey. Pro tip: always use a steel leader or heavy fluorocarbon - those teeth will cut through regular line instantly. Keep pliers handy for safe releases.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are absolute fighters that'll give you a battle on light tackle. These bronze-colored scrapper average 12-18 inches but can hit 20+ in Lake St Clair. They love rocky bottoms, drop-offs, and structure - anywhere there's cover and current breaks. Spring and fall are prime time when they're active in shallows, but summer finds them deeper in cooler water. Early morning and evening produce the best action. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they're pound-for-pound one of the strongest freshwater fish. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. Plastic worms, small jigs, and topwater lures work well. My go-to tip: when fishing deeper summer spots, try a tube jig bounced slowly along the bottom near rock piles - they can't resist it.
Sander VitreusWalleye are prized for their excellent table fare and challenging fight. These golden-colored fish with their distinctive silvery eyes typically run 18-25 inches in Lake St Clair, with some reaching 30+ inches. They're most active during low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and overcast days work best. You'll find them around rocky structure, drop-offs, and weed edges, usually in 10-20 feet of water during the day. They move shallower to feed at night. Live bait like minnows and nightcrawlers work great, but small jigs and crankbaits produce too. Spring through fall offers good action, with evening trips being particularly productive. One tip I always share: when you feel that subtle walleye bite, give them a second to take the bait before setting the hook - they tend to mouth it first.
St Clair River