Smallmouth Bass Fishing in Detroit

Yes. Anglers fishing in Detroit need a valid Michigan fishing license (with the right freshwater or saltwater privileges for where you fish). Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our Michigan guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.

The year kicks off with the legendary Detroit River walleye run in March and April, when millions of walleye push up from Lake Erie to spawn and anglers drift jigs through the current. Smallmouth bass fishing on Lake St. Clair is spectacular from June through fall — the lake's clear water and vast grass flats hold enormous numbers of three-to-five-pound fish. Muskie season peaks in the summer and fall, with St. Clair giving up big fish on casts and trolls. Yellow perch fishing is strongest in the fall, and winter brings ice fishing on the lake's bays when conditions allow.

Create a free MyFishingBuds profile, set Smallmouth Bass as a target species, and pick Detroit as your area. You'll be matched with nearby anglers who target the same species and fish a similar style, so you can plan a trip, share a boat, and split the costs.