Good morning, anglers—this is Artificial Lure with your Lake Erie Detroit fishing report for Wednesday, September 17, 2025.
We’re coming off a stretch of stable high pressure, keeping things clear, cool, and calm across Lake Erie and the Detroit River. Sunrise hit at 7:01 AM, with sunset coming at 7:31 tonight, so you’ve got perfect bookends for a full day on the water. Water temperatures are holding steady around 70 to 71 degrees near Detroit and Toledo, creating comfortable conditions both for the fish and those braving a mid-September morning. The National Weather Service predicts light winds under 10 knots and wave heights at a foot or less, so boating and casting should be pleasant with minimal chop.
Now, let’s talk fish. Reports from local anglers over on Michigan Sportsman say it’s been a grind the past few days. There’s still a fair bit of cold water lingering, which has fish scattered throughout the lake and the lower river. Folks putting in long hours did bring some fish over the rails, but the bite window has been tight—early mornings and late evenings see the most action as fish cruise the shallows and outer weed edges.
For perch hunters, results are mixed with small pods popping up around the south end and Belle Isle flats, but don’t expect a full cooler without working for it. Try tight-lining minnows or waxworms just off bottom, and adjust your depths often. For walleye, the action is still in that late summer pattern, but we’re seeing a slight transition with this cooler water—trolling deep-diving crankbaits in 18-25 feet right off the shipping channel edges is still putting numbers in the box, especially at first light and again at dusk. Local walleye tournament results show both size and numbers are possible with the right presentation; harnesses with crawlers remain steady producers, but Berkley Flicker Minnows and Rapala Deep Husky Jerks got the nod from successful boats.
Don’t forget the smallmouth bass—several reports this week had anglers landing quality fish up to 4 pounds around rocky points between Grosse Ile and Fighting Island. Tube jigs in green pumpkin and drop-shotting 3” finesse baits are money this time of year, especially as the sun gets up and fish slide a bit deeper.
Panfishers, if you’re after size, there have been some respectable crappies and the occasional slab bluegill showing up in the shallows along dock pilings and submerged structure on the Detroit side. Use slip bobbers with small jigs tipped with waxies or microplastics.
Today’s top baits:
- Emerald shiners for perch
- Nightcrawlers or Gulp! Alive minnows on harnesses for walleye
- Tube jigs and flukes for bass
- Small soft plastics and waxworms for panfish
Best lures for covering water: deep-diving crankbaits in perch or firetiger patterns, and blade baits for those working main-lake humps and deeper transitions.
Hot spots to check out today:
- The Trenton Channel edges near Grassy Island for walleye and perch
- Belle Isle flats for a mix of perch, panfish, and smallmouth
- Humbug Marsh and just off Fighting Island for consistent smallmouth bites
One note for the weekend warriors—watch for a slight uptick in winds as we head toward Friday and Saturday. By then, wave height may climb to around two feet, so plan accordingly and always keep safety first.
Thanks for tuning in to today’s Lake Erie Detroit fishing report. Don’t forget to subscribe for daily updates, tips, and on-the-water insights. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.
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