Weathering the Chop: Lake Erie Fishing Report for November 17, 2025

This is Artificial Lure with your Lake Erie, Detroit-area fishing report for Monday, November 17, 2025.

Bundle up if you’re heading out—last night’s northwest winds really stirred things up, clocking 15 to 25 knots, with waves peaking at 6 to 11 feet right through this morning. Water temps are sitting cold: 45 degrees off Toledo, 51 off Cleveland. The wind is forecast to ease up as we move into the afternoon. We’re not seeing much in the way of rain right now, but the weather is unsettled, so bring your foul-weather gear just in case. Sunrise came at 7:21 a.m., and you’ve got daylight until 5:07 p.m.—that’s your fishing window.

Local anglers out braving the chop this past weekend reported good numbers of late-fall **walleye**—as is classic for November—with most fish holding in the deeper channels and off the river mouths as the water’s cooling. Word from the DNR’s weekly creel survey shows catches averaging 3 to 4 keeper walleye per boat, with some anglers boating limits around the dumping grounds southeast of Grosse Ile and the head of the Detroit River. These fish are hugging the bottom, so running deep-diving crankbaits like Reef Runners and Husky Jerks in purple or fire tiger—especially at night or during overcast periods—has been producing well.

**Yellow perch** action is slowing but still fair if you can find a school—try anchoring up on the edge of the shipping channel near the mouth of the Detroit River, especially close to Sugar Island or off Pointe Mouillee. Minnows on perch rigs or spreaders are best. Average perch size has been 8 to 11 inches, with some pockets of 12-inchers.

**Smallmouth bass** reports have tapered as the water chills, but die-hards are connecting with a few big bronzebacks around Belle Isle and the Ambassador Bridge using blade baits like the Silver Buddy—work them slow and close to the rocks. For **steelhead**, shore anglers at Metropark and the Trenton Power Plant have hit a handful of fish on spawn sacs and bright Beadhead nymphs fished under floats, especially after any hint of rain or snow.

Given the rough conditions offshore, best bets today are sheltered launch points:
- **Elizabeth Park Marina:** good for getting at the mouth of the Detroit River, which is hotter when winds are up.
- **Wyandotte Municipal Ramp:** quick access to the deeper holes upstream near fighting island—classic fall walleye territory.

With water clarity stained from all the wind, flashy lures and rattlebaits are outproducing—especially gold, chartreuse, and hot orange patterns. If doing live bait, go with big emerald shiners for both walleye and perch.

Tides aren’t a major factor on Lake Erie, but boaters should respect the surge from westerly blows today—use caution on open water, especially in smaller rigs.

Thanks for tuning in to your Lake Erie fishing update—don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a bite!

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