St. Clair River - salmon

[Canuck136]

Not too sure how many of you guys have fished for salmon in the St. Clair River, but in about a month there's some really good salmon fishing. My partner and I have been going up to Marine City around the first weekend of April for the past three years. There's an Edison plant there with a warm water discharge that holds a ton of salmon before they run up to Lake Huron. It's a great time and really under fished.

[scubajay]

This salmonid fishing is the most exciting time of the year. It is the first time my boat gets wet each year after a long winter of me walking on the ice and cabin fever. For me it starts as soon as I don’t have to dodge icebergs (some years I have started in early March). There is plenty of time to chase walleye (I skip the Detroit River walleye zoo) but for those of us that own small boats the genuine quality opportunity to catch salmonids (I have caught Browns, Coho, Chinook and Steelhead).

[Canuck136]

This salmonid fishing is the most exciting time of the year. It is the first time my boat gets wet each year after a long winter of me walking on the ice and cabin fever. For me it starts as soon as I don’t have to dodge icebergs (some years I have started in early March). There is plenty of time to chase walleye (I skip the Detroit River walleye zoo) but for those of us that own small boats the genuine quality opportunity to catch salmonids (I have caught Browns, Coho, Chinook and Steelhead).

That's what I'm talking about. Me too with the occasional walleye. We usually hit the salmon the month of April and then enter the combat zone on the river for walleye.

[GOTCHA]

I'm not new to this here salmon fishing but, when your fishing the river, do you troll up or down river ? I have got to get on the water :dizzy:

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I tried it a couple of times years ago. Caught one right in front of the power plant. Looked like a coho at the time. Only problem was the ramp at Marine city wasn't in yet.

[PARSON]

I am new to fishing this area. Last year was first time with a boat. Didn't have a very good year with walleye. I am now rigged with down riggers and bought a couple of yellowbirds. So please tell me How do you fish those salmon and what do you use. I generaly launch at Marysville. Location suggestion would be good also. You are getting my desire to be out on the boat and do some fishing rising. Thanx :fish:

[scubajay]

I fish in the area of the Detroit Edison power plant just north of Marine City. I start on the north side of the plant and troll about ½ to ¾ of a mile south then zip back up and do it again. I troll downstream just barely faster than the current and stay fairly close to shore, somewhere in the 15 – 25 fow range. I run 2 rods with bottom bouncers and a crawler harness tipped with a big fat worm and I run 1 downrigger somewhere between 12-16 feet also with a crawler harness or sometimes some sort of stick bate (Bombers, Rapalas, something like that). The DNR ramp at Marine City is usually never in place early so I use the City of St. Clair Municipal ramp. Last year I caught predominantly Coho but you never know what you are going to get.

[Canuck136]

Same program as scuba. Set up north of the plant troll the wall and then once past the plant stay in 18-23 fow. We use riggers with Bombers and Thundersticks. I've seen people rolling spawn, jigging spoons, whipping and trolling a three with a real heavy weight. All seem to be productive.

[bigbite]

where exactly is this plant. I have fished there before, but never notice the plant. Either I didn't go up far enough or just don't know where it is at? Can someone give me a much more detail location, thanks...

[Hi Ho Silver_Joe]

Same program as scuba. Set up north of the plant troll the wall and then once past the plant stay in 18-23 fow. We use riggers with Bombers and Thundersticks. I've seen people rolling spawn, jigging spoons, whipping and trolling a three with a real heavy weight. All seem to be productive.

You forgot one... My brother and I handline for them in the spring. :yikes:

[Canuck136]

Detroit Edison plant it's north of the DNR launch.

How could I forget the handlinners?!?

[ESOX]

where exactly is this plant. I have fished there before, but never notice the plant. Either I didn't go up far enough or just don't know where it is at? Can someone give me a much more detail location, thanks...
http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm?lat=42.76328390241554&lon=-82.47043736946301&scale=40000&zoom=50&type=0&icon=0&width=498&height=498&searchscope=dom&CFID=1467548&CFTOKEN=26668036&scriptfile=http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm&latlontype=DMS

[tubejig]

Paul thats a pretty sweet map with the Lat/Lon numbers on there. Gonna have to find some other waterways and fill my gps.

[ESOX]

Yep, I love that site Ken. I found the link to it here.:)

[bigbite]

Just wanted to say thanks for the information. I wonder if a small boat will be able to access the area. Is there alot of waves?

[Redeye1]

I fish that area in the sping with my 16 jon. I normally come up from the Marine City ramp. The river can get rough with a strong south wind, (blowing upstream). But its never gotten to a point of dangerous.

[scubajay]

I concur with Redeye. I too fish this area with my 16’ aluminum. The only time I will not venture out is if there is a stiff south wind which can really chop the river up.

[tubejig]

I guess I will see you guys out there in a few weeks.

[tgafish]

Same program as scuba. Set up north of the plant troll the wall and then once past the plant stay in 18-23 fow. We use riggers with Bombers and Thundersticks. I've seen people rolling spawn, jigging spoons, whipping and trolling a three with a real heavy weight. All seem to be productive.

Canuck,
If you're trolling a little bit faster than the current how long is the troll before you have to pick up and run again. I'm guessing you SOG is close to 5 or 6 mph. Sure seems like tough fishing if you have to rerig every 10 minutes or so. I can't get my spread down in less than 5 minutes. Am I missing something. :confused: Thanks for your help!

[1fife]

tube-i have never fished salmon in the river-but i think this year im gonna try(may be my only chnace to get some southern lake salmon)

[Canuck136]

Canuck,
If you're trolling a little bit faster than the current how long is the troll before you have to pick up and run again. I'm guessing you SOG is close to 5 or 6 mph. Sure seems like tough fishing if you have to rerig every 10 minutes or so. I can't get my spread down in less than 5 minutes. Am I missing something. :confused: Thanks for your help!


We set up north of the plant as I said and troll for quite some distance. We've actually caught fish alll the way back to the DNR launch. It all depends on you I guess. We normally troll for about a mile or south of the plant. It's a lot of running and setting up, but we've got a pretty good system down between the two of us.

[ficious]

I have done well dragging stick baits behind planers too. From the power plant to Algonac State Park. Stay close to shore, but watch for people with set lines fishing off shore/docks. April and May are the best months. I've gotten fish from the Deckers Landing area as well, but thats a short run, then reset. That can really be hot as well. I fished it out of my 16' Lund at the time.

Harry

[tubejig]

1fife, I will keep ya posted.

[Bluebiller]

After running back north- I keep the boat going north-set my lines-and then turn on go south. I do the same thing on the south end of the troll. Head north-pull lines-and then go.....

[gilly]

Man you guys must have been reading my mind as the Edison Plant is my big early season gig this year. I have been planning on it for sometime and this year is it- when and if we ever get some warmer ice melting weather. When you run the bottom bouncers are they right on bottom as when walleye drifting? Anyone ever try a jet diver downstream trolling versus a downrigger? Others have told me to just flatline smaller spoons like stingers or use in-line weights with whatever to get to the right depth. Hope to meet some of you guys down there this year..can't wait

[Canuck136]

Man you guys must have been reading my mind as the Edison Plant is my big early season gig this year. I have been planning on it for sometime and this year is it- when and if we ever get some warmer ice melting weather. When you run the bottom bouncers are they right on bottom as when walleye drifting? Anyone ever try a jet diver downstream trolling versus a downrigger? Others have told me to just flatline smaller spoons like stingers or use in-line weights with whatever to get to the right depth. Hope to meet some of you guys down there this year..can't wait

Never tried your method, but why not?!? As I said in an earlier post I've seen every method used from jigging to long linning and have seen people catching fish all ways. The most productive seems to be trolling with the current for us.

[Motown]

I have done well dragging stick baits behind planers too. From the power plant to Algonac State Park. Stay close to shore, but watch for people with set lines fishing off shore/docks. April and May are the best months. I've gotten fish from the Deckers Landing area as well, but thats a short run, then reset. That can really be hot as well. I fished it out of my 16' Lund at the time.

Harry


I hope to be visiting Edison as well in the near future. I am not equiped for trolling but can jerk and jig. By the way, what is long lining?


Salmon/steelhead from docks/shore? I do this in Port Huron, but where else on the St. Clair river can I do this? :confused: Anywhere north of Algonac? I would like to try this when the icebergs are still floating...I guess I have the softwater itch right now. Speaking of Port Huron, has anyone been fishing the wall in Port Huron recently? How is the wall this time of year? I'll also try to search these forums for this answer.


After a winter of very small fish, I can't wait to get back out on the water.

[ds619]

Just wondering if anyone has been out and catching anything

[CrappiemanGUS]

:cwm27: WAit a minute.... you guys are saying U'd rather catch a Salmon or steelhead more than a walleye :tsk: :nono: .... what a disgrace... :lol: im just mesing with you guys.... i fish for salmon sometimes.... but you guys cant leave walleyes outta this... But yet most of the guys i know that fish on the wall would rather catch SALMON than walleyes... :yikes: :lol: well goodluck with your Silver fish.... ill go catch some of the marble eyes... but with the luck i have I'll probally start catching silver fish on my pencil plugs..... :coco:

[inthenet]

ds619 yes.I had a guy in the store yesterday and said he caught a coho and a king on friday.Small rapplas f5s--firetiger and he was using his riggers.

[COHO]

what channel does everyone use in boats. i know ch 7 on the frs for ice, but is there a M.S. channel on the ship to shore radio that everyone uses :confused:

[BILL BUSTER]

I WAS WORKING AT THE PLANT ON THURS, WE CAUGHT 3 STEELIES, IN THE AM. ALL APROX 24" -30 " CLEOS TIPED WITH MINNOWS AND PIMPLES TOO WAS JIGGING BY THE HOT WATER DISCHARGE APPROX 75 DEGREE WATER FLOWING OUT :p

[stinger63]

Fished the wall in PH friday seen an almost coho I think but didnt get a great look at it.1 splash up at the top and it was gone.Water was gin clear that day but mud now and probaly will be so for the next 2-3 days baring anymore hard blows.Kinda realy wonder what the spring salmon fishing is going to be like with all those skinny small salmon from the fall it will be interesting on how things shape up this spring for them.