Hard earned Detroit River walleye limit

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.

It’s even past my bedtime.......

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

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

Attachment 297649Attachment 297650

Nice catch guys

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

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

Good time, Thanks for the invite.


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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.

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wicklundrh

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.

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.

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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Sorry, buddy. I couldn't help myself.:dono

Don't feel bad, I've had to stop for my crew at several "secret" spots along the river. You don't like to give those away too much because you alway want to make sure you have a safe port potty of refuge!

Riverview boat launch (where I used to have a permit) has a nice spot just past the pay bridge. Ecorse has a decent porta crapper too. I carry one one board and have been known to slip around the backside of Mud island and Humbug island to utilize the facilities.

Congratulations guys, you did well, despite some of the adverse conditions you faced,
and I'm not just talking about losing a few(?) jigs or the weather. I'm going to try my
hand at it in late April or early May.

SpartanNation gave you the "Tip" of the story for the days events.....So much more occurred.

With 4 kids, planning doesn't always work out, so I decided to go back to the method of fishing that has worked for me. This is how that plan works.
Have the boat READY, When I say ready, I mean, ready enough to unplug the on board charger, hook it to the truck & go fishing. I could probably rival Ready2Fish in that aspect.

It all started with a text message..... Ironic, stories like this used to start with "Hold My Beer", so we must be getting older, as they now start with I got a Text.......... Anyway he was sending me a "Ha Ha to you text", & in return, I sent him my plan via text that my weekend plans involved fishing. When he saw me say Detroit River, He said MWT was this weekend. I said, yeah, but its Saturday only, and they are launching out of LEMP, Ill be fine.

Then the first sign of an adventure was text to me.. "Who you going with?" That answer was a cryptic set of plans that involved a trip to Alma, Saginaw, Either a return, or drive straight to DR from Saginaw, or home, wasn't really sure which.

Then the message of an adventure was sent "If you don't fish Saginaw, let me know. I may be up for a Dr trip if you need another body." I let Jerry know that I have a Crew Cab truck, we can fit a 3rd person, and said he would check. I asked about Steve, but I knew Steve did not like the weekend as its to busy. I didn't think Steve would go. Jerry sends me a text, Steve is looking to see if he can re arrange his schedule (Jerry also said that was Secret Code for Begging his boss) The time frame was about 7 minutes of some serious begging, and Steve was along for the trip................

Next up was the departure time, as we know I'm not regularly an early riser. I said I was leaving my place between 7 & 8, Jerry countered with pick us up a the Park & Ride @ 8? I said OK, I was up for the challenge. No only did I make it there, I was there before them two.

Before we could even leave the park & ride, I had to give Steve a gift from my Wife. See Steve sent her a message with a nice picture, that he had, eaten a "Walleye Dinner" and well, we were out of Walleye. So she took it upon herself to pick out something special for Steve. She did ask my input for the color, but she got them for Steve, and I delivered them....... They were pretty Blue and cotton stretch......:Rofl

After some laughter, in the truck we jumped and away we went.........2.5 hours of driving, three guys can discuss every off center topic, why our kids are dumb at times, and who is really in charge of the world how a many people are needed to help a Polack launch a boat, If Fish were squirrels, could we still shoot them?

Fast forward, Arrival. Quick pit stop for a bathroom, and then the bait shop. After getting some minnows, and talking to the bait shop guy, the day was saved. Evidently Elizabeth Park was already full. The guy at the Bait shop directed up to the city of Trenton boat launch, cost was the same. After some slight travel issues, (Did he say this way, or that way?) we found the police station. Got the last pass, and got to the lot.

Took the cover off the boat, got every thing ready, and away we went, sort of........ No water out of the motor pisser! Despite having a jewelers screw driver, and a lighter, we found no ice. I'm guessing the 15 degree start out temperature for the morning drive had something inside angry. It eventually warmed up enough to start working about the time we started trying to just drift and catch fish.

So Away we went to the Dreaded Trenton Channel. That was funny, as Steve had a pretty good cadence down for jigging, Tie, Jig, Jig, Jig, Snag, Snap, Swear. Tie, Jig, Jig, Snag, Snap, Swear. Tie, Jig, Snag, Swear, Snap, the Rod, Snap again, yell FISH, for all of Trenton Channel to hear, and net the first fish. I had actually been watching Steve at that point, and the look on his face from initial thought of "Another %^)#(@(@ SNAG, I Hate Trenton Channlel, %)^^((#*#) to "FISH" was hilarious. Of course in my humor of watching Steve, I went Jig, Jig, Jig, Snag, Snap right afterwards...... No one was immune to the dreaded place called Trenton Channel. Jerry acquired the same cadence for jigging, non of us were immune to it.

Time to move...... Moved over to the other side of Grosse Isle, few drifts there & Nothing. Moved up by Grassy Island found a spot out of the wind that had been productive in the past, and Jerry & Steve & I all have code name for that location, it is hence fourth know as "Eagle Island" Not because Oneida Eagle caught a Master Angler Walleye, and Steve got to net one. (By the way, Steve was WAY more excited about it than I was, I thought it was raining, but they were tears form Steve for the privilege of netting such a large fish, provided from Fish HEAVEN) NO it was the Eagles there that flew in and were "Chittering" and its one thing to see them, but to hear them also, it was a cool highlight for the day. Now despite what Steve & Jerry say, I think those Eagle were trying to communicate with Oneida Eagle, (ME) for such a AWESOME Fish. We had to leave when the chittering from Steve and Jerry was to throw said Master Angler Award fish on the bank for the Eagles to eat....... In all, if we got a picture of anything, it would have been cool to get one of the Eagles. Was a reminder of the greatness of this country for those who grew up in the same time frame as Jerry, Steve & I.

Despite all that I am doing something I have never done, I promised Steve, I would fill out the Master Angler stuff. I will be "Official" with my first Master Angler award. That should get completed tonight.


On wards to my next spot, this is where we did most of our damage, and ironically enough, despite Steve's dislike for the DR on the weekends, he can not say that this was a bad trip, packed with boats, rude people (Other than Jerry & I picking on him. Oh, and don't feel sorry for him, it was like a round robin, Jerry & Aaron, Pick on Steve. Steve & Jerry, Pick on Aaron. Steve & Aaron Pick on Jerry. Steve, Jerry & Aaron Pick on ______________ <- Insert name. Every body got a turn. Even some people not with us........lol (Ahem, Becky,)

anyway, this spot is located on the american side of the border, but close to the international line, & starts across from the Canadian Salt Plant. I have done well here in the past. While going back up stream for another drift,we hear Steve say,"GO THERE, THAT's BELLANGER PARK, we head there, and its not Bellanger park, its some boat yacht club, but Steve wants dropped off anyway, I had a emergency bucket for such an event, but that wasn't going to work. If you have never seen a big guy "DUCK WALK" to a porta potty, well lets just say, Steve came back with a big smile, a sense of humor, and was 2 sizes smaller, and the Cotton Stretch Vanity Fair item, may have been required, but he would not fess up to its use.

Before you pick on Steve, he is not alone, last year, I tied up an anchor, thew it to shore, and magically walked across three foot deep water while stripping, my Ice suit, to a island of sorts and did the same thing........ So he is not alone, I skipped the Cotton Stretch Vanity Fair though,,,,,,,, .... :Rofl Rich Wicklund in known to have many secret locations for such an event.


We ended up here the rest of the day. We were picking them off 1, 2, or 3 a drift until we were 3 short of a limit. We decided one more drift and to call it a day. Well that drift started out quick as Jerry got one and yelled Fish, I looked at him like "You have got to be shi..... Opps, I mean (Crapping) me?" About that time, THUMP, and rod went and I had one as well, we had a double, Steve, was yelling "Double", Steve was net man, and gets some awesome credit for not cracking under pressure, and getting both in the boat.

Well that left 1 more to go, and some one called out, who ever gets the last one buys McDonalds, on the way home.......... I was snookered, I look back and Steve looked like he was just dragging his jig along bottom. Jerry was whistling some tune by Queen about Becky being a Fat Bottom Girl, and Bang, Fish...... I got it about 1/2 way up and Steve jinxed it, yelled out, its not in the boat yet, and then it was gone..........

We were set on that last fish, Jerry counted (This is important later, so remember Jerry counted them) We start one more drift, and Fish, OE gets another, the last fish, to a great day.
We head back, get some pictures, and pack up the boat, cover it, and head home. While at McDonalds, Jerry is talking to some other guys, and the impression was that they were that way before us on the water, same time as us, and did not get many fish, if any, I don't know, Jerry might now, but Jerry said we did better than most people that they had heard from including those he was talking to at McDonalds.

Fast forward drive home, Steve passed out in the back, it was passed his bed time, he snores for the record. Jerry & I, we were left to plot our shenanigans, and through conversation, found out that Jerry has a Grand mother or Great Grand Mother, who had the SAME last name as my Grandmother, who was also from Portland........... Yeah, if your following along, and realize that Jerry an I could be related, we best advise you to RUN........Maybe we are two long lost cousins, like Bo & Luke Duke, only slower cars, and way more HAIRY.


Lastly we get to the drop off point, Jerry grabs the fish for Steve & Jerry, (Remember where Jerry counted out limit of 15 fish?) Well I get home, open up the live well and there are FOUR. Well actually 3 Walleye, and a huge BEAST of a Walleye. So we were one short of a 15 man limit. Not only can my buddy Jerry NOT catch Keys, (By the way with the water temps, and air temps, we kept those tucked away an no where near Jerry or I for the entire trip) but he CAN NOT COUNT to 15.........

I got home about Midnight, or a bit after......... Coffee may have been on, here at C.C, but for the three of us, but we were not awake enough to drink it, at least not yet.....................

Long day, but great trip. Steve may have more pictures to post I am not sure.

OE

Just for the purpose of size, in this photo you can see the large Walleye eating Jerry’s Large (small really) Walleye........

Maybe that’s were #15 went, the big girl went carnivore and ate the small one???????

Attachment 297717

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

---

You didn't manage to take them to some of my "secret" spots!!!
No Rich, he was in back often "Praying" that we would find some fish so as to not give up your secret locations..............

Jerry: OE, He dont look right, I think he may not feel well.......
OE: Well Jerry, he needs to tell us, if he is not feeling well, its not a fun trip if he is sick.......
Jerry: OE maybe you are right, maybe he's is tired from being up late last night........
Steve: Amen, (rises form the boat floor) What are you guys talking about?


Glad you saw the Eagle. They have nested in that same spot for a number of years.
Wasn't there a nesting pair down on the American side, near the end of the Trenton Channel? I thought there was a Nesting pair that were down there also??


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
The trip was not bad, we were surrounded with good people, (Ourselves) had no issues, and a great time, despite what everyone says, about crowds, rudeness, etc, we had a great time, we were not crowded, at least I did not feel so. We were also not in the Highly touted Trenton Channel either. Now this coming weekend, may be a bit different, but even with the MWT going on, it was not BAD. I would go again, in a heart beat.

Rich, Now Jerry & Steve are going to say it was no big deal, but I was more irritated with myself & the wind than anything else. We would get to the top of the drift, and I would start tieing a jig, or getting ready, and forget to drop the trolling motor, thinking, it was a usual fishing trip (Me Solo) then it was "Oh Shi.. Er CRAP) sorry guys, I will get that going........ More then a few times, less than 50 I forgot to get that going before I would realize I already should have done it. I would look up, when I was done, boat drifint, spinning in a circle, and they are looking at me with that "Your a dumb Pollack" look. I'm good with it, I took it a a sign of admiration....rotfl

Fighting the wind was horrible, not so much, but on the East side of Grosse Isle, the wind started to actually blow us UP river. We moved to GRassy Island, and that was good for a single drift then the wind shifted, and was blowing us up river again.

Then we got to the Salt Drift (That's what I call it) and its was calm, and nice, wind would pick up at the bottom, and get strong, or then switch and start coming out of the East, it just would not stay coming from ONE direction.

I cant speak for them, but I would go again, if the timing presented itself. Also the neat trick for the City of Trenton boat Launch is great to know as well.

Having fished it 8million times in the last couple of years, I might have been able to provide a few "secrets". For the record, nothing is really a secret on that river. Just areas that not everyone knows about!

I do find it funny however that MWT was on Saturday AND Sunday!!!

FYI, MWC is this week (Friday and Saturday) and they are launching out of Elizabeth park.

I will tell you that fishing the river is much more enjoyable when you have multiple people that can run a trolling motor. Nothing sucks worse then when you are the guy, the wind is blowing, snow is in the air, and you are constantly on the trolling motor to stay vertical. Kevin and I actually carry two remotes so that someone else can take over.

Another trick: Multiple rods tied and ready to go. I usually have 3. Of course, when I break off number three, it takes a little while to retie them all. Another good trick, wait to retie until you head back up to the top of the drift. Take turns running the boat. We carry a heater, fire it up, tie jigs, and eat a sandwhich.

It is a love hate relationship for me. Love to fish, hate the people. Maybe not even the people, just the attitude of a lot of them.

Great walleye by the way. Glad you were able to get a Master Angler.

Hey Arron , on that issue with motor not pissing water, I had same problem but later found out it is thermostat controlled It's actually circulating water just not out pee hole, notice that the overheat buzzer alarm didn't sound off


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You are correct, no over heat buzzed ever sounded off.

Still didn’t keep me from feeling like we were going to take one long drive to Breast Bay, then walk back for the truck......... lol

Know that I think about it, Steve was going to show me the bolt to remove to drain all water like Rich has mentioned........

Until he looked at the back of my motor, and that bolt wasn’t there........

Tonight is all the MA stuff I promised Steve I would do.

Jennifer is having Walleye for dinner, and I will clean the boat and be ready for the next chance for me to go.........

Looking at Saturday day trip again, or maybe Sunday, but not really sure just yet.

Well, it seems I can count. I ended up with one extra fish when I cleaned them this morning. Steve only wanted three but I gave him one more so he ended up with 4, Aaron ended up with 4 and I'm going to keep 4 and package the other 3 for the guys coming from out of state for spring camp. I figure we'll cook them up at camp or they can take them home with them. Call it Aarons forced penance for being deleted so many times, he's lucky we didn't take away his big fish to cover the cost of forgiveness. It's a small price to pay to start the climb back to good graces.

How long was she Aaron? Did you get a shot of her on the tape?

We talked to one of the boats that was fishing the MWT. They were obviously new to fishing the river, they were asking about different areas and didn't seen to know where anything was. When I mentioned a couple of spots they looked at me like I was speaking Chinese or something, they had no idea where they were.

I don't like fishing Trenton Channel! I know that it can be lights out at times but the 500 boats that pack into that run is almost too much to handle. Not to mention all the snags. The older I get the more I like to fish the deep, snag free stretches up river. That drift Aaron had us on was nice when we could stay vertical. Not many boats, no snags, lots of fish and for enough from the freighter freeway that we didn't have to worry about being swamped. There were a few boats, though, that seemed determined to tempt fate. When the SS Way Bigger Than Me starts to lay on the horn, I'm smart enough to get out of the way. Others seemed to think that just because you're 1000' long and 10 stories high you don't automatically have the right of way. I beg to differ.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spartannation

Well, it seems I can count. I ended up with one extra fish when I cleaned them this morning. Steve only wanted three but I gave him one more so he ended up with 4, Aaron ended up with 4 and I'm going to keep 4 and package the other 3 for the guys coming from out of state for spring camp. I figure we'll cook them up at camp or they can take them home with them. Call it Aarons forced penance for being deleted so many times, he's lucky we didn't take away his big fish to cover the cost of forgiveness. It's a small price to pay to start the climb back to good graces.

How long was she Aaron? Did you get a shot of her on the tape?

---

Jerry,

Just got some measure information and pictures for the MA, that Steve made me promise to fill out.


She was 31 & 3/16th Deletions, I mean inches.......... lol

OE

Is that actual tape measurement or fishermans guess. We need pics lol


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Attachment 297738

Here you go.

Or this one?

Attachment 297739Attachment 297740

So this endeavor has come full circle. I let Steve know I received my information last night from the D&R about my Master Angler Walleye.

I got a patch I cant eat, and three pieces of paper. One has some congratulatory gibberish, and the next was a complete list of 2018 entries thus far, and the third was a list of the 2017 entries.

Of these awesome gifts from the D&R, I found the last two pieces of paper the most interesting.

Here are the 2017 & 2018 Entries. Looks like last year was more wide spread, where as, this year, Lake Erie seems to be the place to be for trophy Walleye.

7 of the top 13 were in Lake Erie, and 23 of the 39 were Lake Erie as well, for the 2018 year so far.

I also found it interesting that Muskegon has the current top spot. Muskegon Walleye fisherman are tight lipped, but I know that they are there (Walleye).
Might be in my best interest to figure out Muskegon, as its more cost effective than regular trips to the DR or Saginaw Bay.

Anyway, here is the info.

OE

Attachment 301946

Attachment 301948

PS Steve, I'm checking with the D&R on a "Net Man Award"

If you look back over historical data, pound for pound based on the size, area, and number of entries, Muskegon is by far better than any other single area. Sure, Detroit and Erie have their share, but it is time sensative. Muskegon puts them on the board all year long!

Muskegon isn't hard to figure out. Same method as other areas in the state. The best area is outside of the channel from Snug all the way up to Bear Creek. There is a weed bed that extends out to about 10 feet of water and a big sand flat. In the evenings, this is where you will find the majority of the action for trolling. Another good spot is the hole around the mouth of the Muskegon river.

Yes, the guys are very tight lipped but it is a lot smaller area than say Saginaw or Erie. The more they talk, the more boats it brings to the area and it becomes difficult to troll.

Rich,

Isn't Bear Creek part of Bear Lake, and Bear Lake drains into Muskegon? I have never been in there, or that area, wouldn't think it was good for blood pressure and trolling as much traffic I have seen going on and out of the mouth of Bear Lake

Been meaning to take the wife for a ride once and dock at the Tavern there for lunch. Just has not worked out yet, at this time.

Correct. At the North East end of Bear lake, the Bear Creek drains in to it. One of many bear lakes and bear creeks in Michigan. Kind of like Long lake.

Another secret of the area is just how many quality walleyes are caught in Lake Michigan outside of Muskegon Lake, White Lake, Pentwater lake, Pere Marquette lake, and Portage Lake.

We used to come in from Ludington later in the evening and noticed a few boats always fishing after dark. There was never any information about it and it was hush hush but, I know of a few guys that would put limits of big fish in the boat every single night they fished!

Trolling those pier heads and beach areas is awesome in the evenings. Big walleys come in to the sand to chase bait and so do the big Brown Trout.

You don't have to drive far to get on Walleye. Erie and Saginaw have quantity, Lake Michigan has quality!

Thanks for the thought OE, but the DNR doesn’t give out any recognition for “Net Man” LOL!

I think yours is the 4th one I’ve netted, so if they’re giving them out they are way behind.

Surprised there aren’t more entries from Delta County (Bays de Noc)...... the locals are closed lip about those big ole walleye retirement homes they’ve found them in, but I’d think more tourists/trolls would have recorded them.

Congrats on your accomplishment!


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