Detroit
River Winter Perch Fishing
By Rob Cardinal
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Does
the weather this winter have you bummed out? Are you itching
to get some perch on the ice? Well, the next best thing
to a pile of jumbos lying on the hard water is a cooler
full in the boat. That’s right, some of the quickest
action of the year can be found during the winter months
all over the state but, the open water fishery at the mouth
of the Detroit River can be spectacular at times. Traditionally,
when fisherman think of the Detroit River they think of
the thousands of anglers who migrate there in pursuit of
trophy walleyes in the main channels of the river each spring
but the perch are found in the backwaters. The lower river
has miles of canals, hundreds of docks, acres of isolated
bays, and several marinas that are swarming with perch if
you are willing to suit up with the cold weather gear and
chase them around.
The lower river system has miles of canals that cut around
and through Grosse Ill and Gibraltar. Every canal has bridges,
so your boat needs to be able to clear about 6 feet when
the water level is normal. The best time to fish the canals
is when the water clarity is 2 feet or more and the water
level is normal. The technique is very simple. In canals
where there is current present, fishing the bottom with
spreaders and small jigs with minnows is best. Where the
current speed is less, try a slip bobber with a single plain
hook and minnow anywhere from 3 inches to 3 feet off the
bottom. Use your graph and try to locate the deeper holes
and focus first on them. A good tip to remember is to focus
on docks that house larger boats because the prop washes
in the summer and tends to make holes right off the ends
of hoists and docks. Most canals are less than 10 feet deep
so anywhere you find 6 or more feet of water, fish. Do not
be afraid of fishing areas in the canals that are less than
5 feet deep or any area where minnows are sighted near the
surface. After all, that is the reason the perch are in
there.
The main river channels on both sides of Grosse Ill have
hundreds of docks and many marinas. The perch can be around
any given dock and they are almost always in the marinas
when there are minnows present. The method of choice in
the marinas is a slip bobber with a plain hook or ice fishing
jig and minnows. If you are fortunate enough to drop anchor
and start catching perch around the first dock you fish,
more power to you but, if you do not catch any fish within
15 minutes, MOVE! You need to give each spot 15 minutes
because the boat often spooks fish and you need to give
them time to move back in to the area. When fishing the
docks along the main river channels, look for areas where
natural shoreline meet the seawall and focus there first.
If your boat has a trolling motor, now is when you use it.
Often you will see locals fishing the docks like a bass
fisherman would, sliding up to the dock very quietly and
working them with small jigs and minnows or slip bobbers
to try and find the fish. When you catch a perch, anchor
up and fish the spot till the action slows.
On those days when the weather permits, concentrate on the
isolated bays and flats like Airport bay on the south side
of Grosse Ile and the area known as the Cross Dike just
east of Sugar Island. These areas are perhaps the most productive
places for perch and also support an outstanding pike fishery.
The slip bobber is definitely the best technique. During
the summer months, the weed growth is very heavy in these
areas.
As the weeds die off they settle creating a dense mat along
the bottom. Spreader rigs or jigs fished on the bottom hang
up in this mat too often. The key is to suspend the minnow
about 6 inches above the mat. Keep your bait near the bottom
or you will catch more pike than perch. The perch are feeding
on crustaceans, insect larvae and baitfish that hide in
the mat while the pike cruise the entire water column looking
for an easy meal. Mobility is key in these areas and a graph
is essential. Moving every 15 minutes until you find some
active fish is the key to success. The fish are always here
and feeding somewhere. Sometimes moving as little as 20
yards will put you on fish. These flats range in depth,
use your graph to concentrate on holes and the areas surrounding
them. Having 2 or more fisherman in your party is essential
here. Keep in mind that these schools of perch are roaming
the flats and having as many baits in the water as legally
possible can help hold these fish in your area for a longer
period of time.
To access this great fishery, launch your boat at Lake
Erie Metropark on Jefferson Ave in Brownstown. There
is a daily fee for both vehicle and boat and annual permits
are available. To get the latest fishing reports, ramp information,
live bait, and any tackle needs that you may have contact
Bottom Line Bait and Tackle (734 379-9762). They are located
right across the street from the Lake Erie Metropark and
are open 7 days a week. So dress warm and get on the water
this winter. |
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