Windy Walleyes and Smallies on Lake Erie - November 5, 2025

This is Artificial Lure, coming to you with your Lake Erie-Detroit area fishing report for Wednesday, November 5th, 2025.

Sun rose this morning right around 7:13 AM, and we’re looking at sunset coming up at 5:21 PM. We’re shifting deep into fall, and you can feel winter nipping at the heels—water at Belle Isle measured a brisk 52 degrees. Bundle up, because that cold air’s rolling in and the wind’s getting nasty. The National Weather Service has a Small Craft Advisory in effect pretty much all day, with east winds steady at 15-20 knots, and waves stacking 3 to 5 feet, sometimes touching 7. It’s a day for serious gear and extra caution—if you’re in a small boat, better play it safe and hug the shoreline or wait for this blow to settle tonight.

Fish don’t mind the chop, though. If anything, this weather’s got the big predators—walleye and smallmouth—feeding hard before that Arctic blast hits next week. Anglers fishing between the mouths of the Detroit River and the western edge of Lake Erie have had a solid week, especially on those rocky drop-offs where bait’s still thick. According to recent Lake Erie Cleveland Fishing Report podcasts, the main bite’s been early—mid-morning’s seeing the action.

For walleye, it’s classic November fishing: vertical jigging 3/8 to ½ ounce hair jigs tipped with emerald shiner minnows is king right now. The Purple Chartreuse and Pink Hologram have both accounted for limits from Wyandotte down to Stony Point. Flicker Shads and Smithwick Rogues trolled slow in 18-24 feet are picking up extra big fish. If you’re going artificial only, soft plastics on jigheads—like dark green or motor oil tubes—are working, especially bounced along bottom.

Smallmouth anglers are doing best around the humps off Gross Ile and the rocky flats near Sugar Island. The best catches have come on blade baits—Sonars and Vib-Es in silver or gold—and drop-shotting goby imitations. Fish have moved deeper; focus on 20 to 28 feet and fish slow, right on the bottom.

Yellow perch reports have slowed with the drop in temp and heavy wind, but those who found pockets of calm near the Trenton Channel picked some up using fathead minnows on spreaders. If things settle out later this week, watch for perch to school up tight on deeper mud flats.

Hot spots today? Try:
- The mouth of the Detroit River, especially near Wyandotte and the river channel edges—the current draws in big schools of hungry fall walleye.
- The humps off the south side of Gross Ile for smallmouth—don’t be shy about moving until you mark fish.
- Stony Point and the flat off Sugar Island for mixed bags—walleye and the odd late-season perch.

With all this, remember, safety first—the Coast Guard’s already been out this week after some incidents in rough water. Dress warm, wear your PFD, and let someone know where you’re heading.

That’s your Lake Erie-Detroit report for today, November 5th, 2025. Thanks for tuning in and tight lines! Don’t forget to subscribe for tomorrow’s update.

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