Macomb County, MI · Lake
Lake St. Clair (Metropark)
A shallow, fertile bowl between Lakes Huron and Erie widely ranked the best smallmouth bass fishery in the country — and a top muskie and walleye water besides. The "flats" grow giant smallmouth on drop-shot and tube rigs, while the weed edges hold trophy muskellunge. Lake St. Clair Metropark anchors public launch access northeast of Detroit.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Walleye — Great day to fish for Walleye.
Best conditions of 4 species tracked at Lake St. Clair (Metropark).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Lake St. Clair (Metropark)
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Walleye Great day to fish for Walleye. In season 76/100
What's helping
- Dark moon — walleye feeds aggressively in low light
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 6
Michigan Great Lakes (Lake Erie, Detroit River, St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair): 6 walleye/day, 15" minimum. Michigan resets bag limits every May 1 — confirm the current rule.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#2 Smallmouth Bass Workable day for Smallmouth Bass. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Min size
- 14"
- Daily creel
- 5
Michigan: 5 smallmouth/day, 14" minimum. Catch-and-immediate-release season runs before the mid-June opener on most Great Lakes waters — confirm dates.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#2 Muskellunge Check local Muskellunge regulations before you keep one. Regs unverified 68/100
We don't have confirmed size, creel, or season rules for Muskellunge in MI on file yet. The live conditions score still applies — but confirm the current regulations with your state agency before keeping any fish.
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Esox masquinongy — The "fish of 10,000 casts." MD's primary fisheries are Deep Creek Lake and the upper non-tidal Potomac. Apex freshwater predator that hits oversize glide baits, bucktails, and live suckers. Tiger muskie (musky × northern pike hybrid) regulated identically.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
No regulations on file for Michigan / great-lakes. Check the appropriate state agency directly before fishing.
#4 Yellow Perch Workable day for Yellow Perch. In season 62/100
What's helping
- 8 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- incoming tide — yellow perch prefers slack tide
About. Perca flavescens — Late-winter and early-spring favorite. Schools up in tidal tributaries for the pre-spawn run in February and March, taking small minnows, shad darts, and small jigs. A classic Eastern Shore "neds" fishery.
Prefers. Water 45–70°F (ideal 58°F) · slack tide · depth 5–30 ft.
Last verified 39 days ago on 2026-06-03. Open source page →
- Daily creel
- 25
Michigan Great Lakes: 25 yellow perch/day.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Lake
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Michigan
Coordinates
Notes
Managed under Michigan Great Lakes rules. Smallmouth 14" min; the catch-and-release bass season precedes the mid-June harvest opener.
Local reports & rules for Lake St. Clair (Metropark): Michigan DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Lake St. Clair (Metropark)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Lake St. Clair (Metropark) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Lake St. Clair (Metropark)?
Lake St. Clair (Metropark) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Smallmouth Bass, Muskellunge, Walleye, Yellow Perch. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Lake St. Clair (Metropark)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Lake St. Clair (Metropark) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Lake St. Clair (Metropark) have?
Lake St. Clair (Metropark) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Managed under Michigan Great Lakes rules. Smallmouth 14" min; the catch-and-release bass season precedes the mid-June harvest opener.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Lake St. Clair (Metropark)?
state agency regulations apply at Lake St. Clair (Metropark). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Lake St. Clair (Metropark) tidal water?
No. Lake St. Clair (Metropark) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.