Hard earned Detroit River walleye limit

[spartannation]

Took a trip down to the Detroit River today with Just Steve and Oneida Eagle. Weather report was for low 40's and light winds and the fishing reports have been impressive lately so we were hoping to cash in on some of those spring run walleye. We left Portland at 8 am (OE doesn't get up very early) and were at the bait shop by shortly after 10. We were warned that the lot at Elizabeth Park was probably full and were given directions to the Trenton city launch.

We hit the water about 11 and headed down stream to the " rock pile" in Trenton Channel. We set up for our first drift and right away Steve hung up and lost a jig. Then I lost one. Then OE lost one Then Steve lost another one. Finally one of Steves "snag" pulled back and he landed a nice eating sized walleye. That was it for the west side of Grosse Isle so we decided to make the move to the east side. Several drifts on the east side produced a couple of hits but no fish in the boat. Up to that point , with the hundreds of boats on the river, we had seen a total of 3 fish landed.

We headed up river to fish the east side of Grassy Island. As we settled into our first drift, an eagle soared over our heads and landed in a tree on the island. It was obviously one of a mating pair, they had a nest built in a tree on the island.

Half way through the drift, Aaron got bit and set the hook on a big, heavy fish. I'm not sure who was more excited, Aaron on the rod or Steve on the net, when the big girl finally came to the surface. They managed to get her in the boat and when we put the tape on her she was pushing 31". That was it for that spot.

Next we headed up to the steel mill. On the first drift I finally got a hook in one and another eater size fish went in the box. We made a number of drifts, fighting a steady south wind that switched to out of the east, picking up at least one fish per drift. Some drifts produced as many as three fish. Finally, about an hour before sun down, Aaron put walleye #15 in the boat and we headed back to the launch. With the exception of the one big girl, all the fish were between 15 1/2 and 18 inches. Hot color was an orange jig with a blood red Wyandotte worm. Water temps were between 37 and 39 degrees. Most of the fish were caught in 34-38 FOW.

It was a fun day on the water, we had plenty of laughs, caught some fish and got home safe and sound. The weather was a bit chilly at times but that's what you get with spring walleye fishing on the Detroit River. I can't wait to do it again.

[OneidaEagle]

It’s even past my bedtime.......

For the record, Steve snores.........

Here is a photo of the “Big Girl”.....

[2boatjoe]

Nice catch guys

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[steelguy]

way to go guys.
I used to fish there quite a bit, just got tired of the crowds.

[Just Steve]

I may never catch that Walleye of a lifetime, but I did net one!

Good time, Thanks for the invite.


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[spartannation]

I'm setting here in my chair having a cup of coffee and I can still feel the boat rocking and rolling over the waves. Out to the barn soon to clean fish.

[wicklundrh]

Steve,
You didn't manage to take them to some of my "secret" spots!!!

Glad you saw the Eagle. They have nested in that same spot for a number of years. Glad you guys got on some fish and put in the work. Trenton tends to shut down mid morning. It is shallow and the entry and exit point for a ton of boats which usually sends fish scurrying around.

If you go around the east side of Gross Isle, there is a hole that is probably one of my favorite drifts in all of the Detroit river. Sand bottom, virtually zero snags, short drifts, and the only hole in that entire channel area that the fish can get in to rest.

Like John, I've all but given up on jigging that river anymore. I just cannot take the rude people, the crowds, and the attitude that many of the folks have.

[Just Steve]

Steve,
You didn't manage to take them to some of my "secret" spots!!!

I sat quietly in the back of the boat, Your secrets are safe with me.

[spartannation]

I like that hole on the east side, too. We were fighting a pretty brisk south/south east wind that wanted to push us around so it was hard to stay in it. They're changing things over there. They have stones piled up around Stoney Island similar to how the cross dyke looks with a number of openings so you can get into the calm water behind the stones. Looks like it could be a good spring perch spot when they're done.

One "secret spot" that Steve did show us was the steel boat club gas docks. I'm not sure what's in that small, green plastic building but whatever it is, he was walking better on the way back to the boat. And he seemed a lot happier.

[Just Steve]

I’m not sure anybody wants to know what in there Jerry......but I did feel better walking back to the boat!


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