Detroit River Carp Fishing Documentary Series

I love Detroit River carp fishing. It's large, expansive and intimidating to some carp anglers. Those challenges make every fish caught more gratifying. I teach people to catch carp.

These same tips will work well for people learning how to fish for catfish too. Where's there are carp there are catfish and vice versa.

The river is very challenging - to the point that every catch from the river is worth 4 or 5 from the local lakes I fish.

The river is less of a river than a strait. The French named the city Detroit after the French word meaning water connecting two large bodies of water, a "strait". According to Michigan.org:

"le detroit du Lac Erie," meaning "the strait of Lake Erie." On July 24, 1701, a French explorer and nobleman by the name of Antoine de la Mothe, sieur de Cadillac founded Detroit.

The Detroit River connects Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. There is a current, which in my experience varies from location to location and varies based on the time of day.

Strategy and Technique

In the morning before dawn the current is very light. I've seen the river waters very smooth, calm and ripple free at dawn. It's a great time to fish the river. As the sun rises, the carp begin to feed more actively on the surface, can easily be seen and "targeted" with strategic casts.

The west side of Grosse Ile, west side of Mud Island and west side of Belle Isle all have less large boat traffic than do the east sides of those locations.

As boat traffic increases during the day, the current in the river also increases. The boats churn up more weeds and debris, creating challenges holding the hook bait in place on bottom. When significant quantities of weeds build up on the line, it creates more and more drag by the river current requiring heavier lead; or retrieval and recasting.

For leads, I have used 2 oz to 5 oz sizes in the Detroit River. There are places that require very heavy sizes, but in the heaviest current the chances of holding bottom completely are pretty slim. I prefer to find a structure and fish behind it as a current break, or to let the pack bait rest directly against the seawall.

I suggest using the lightest lead size you are comfortable with. The heavier leads will definitely hang up on snags more easily and more often.

Fishing the Detroit River requires more frequent casting and re-baiting. I recommend you take extra ingredients for making packbait. I have noticed that more frequent re-casts seem to result in more fish. In a lake the bait just sits there, but on a river it disperses more quickly. I like to use more corn in my pack bait when fishing the river. Also, don't make the pack extra big on the river. Bigger pack bait is going to make it more buoyant and make it more difficult to hold in one place.

I use panko bread crumbs, bird seed, chicken feed, cooked field corn and peanut suet for a pack bait mix. You can flavor the cream corn or not; its up to you.

Consistent casting and baiting will help you catch more fish in areas with less current.

After you have identified a likely location that holds fish, recasting to the same spot does three things:

1. Holds fish already there in the location for a longer period
2. Draws more fish into the spot
3. Increases the odds you may catch one or more fish

You can't catch what's not in front of you. So its a smart strategy to hold what's there and bring more in.

My carp rig of choice is a bolt rig with #4 or #6 Gamakatzu G-Carp hook, a 4 1/2" hook length, and hair rig with 3 pieces of flavored corn on a 3/4" hair.

During a recent trip to Elizabeth Park in Trenton, 100+ boats launched from a nearby marina for a bass tournament. The water disruptions were really not that bad. The river is so big that any wake is distributed enough in that location that it's usually minimal by the time it reaches the shoreline.

It may be too late in the fishing season this year, but I plan to begin a serious project to begin documenting a greater concentration on catching carp in the Detroit River next year.

There are many locations and people I meet that would make intriguing subjects for future articles here on the blog.

The photo possibilities are pretty cool too.

• Can you imagine catching a carp photo selfie with the Renaissance Center or Ambassador Bridge in the background? 
• How about a large ocean going tanker?
• Border Patrol boats?
• Coast Guard vessels?
• Lighthouses?

I think it would be epic.

From Grosse Point to the Lake Erie Metro Park, there are 25 to 30 viable public fishing locations to access the river (and possibly even a few more). Some spots are better than others. One of the most attractive locations has a time limit for shore fishing (you can't start before 6 a.m. and you must finish by 10 a.m.). Another great venue in Wyandotte, BASF Park, unfortunately doesn't allow shore fishing at all.

There are a few piers that sometimes become crowded with other fishermen, depending on the season and weather patterns. A few locations are in pretty heavy current (near Mud Island).

If you look around, there are several public locations with current breaks that enable fishing in calm water.

This location has a reputation for having a lot of snags in the water, but I've learned that snags are reduced by using lighter leads and keeping the rod tip elevated perpendicular to the water when retrieving line for re-baiting.

Imagine a carp photo with Caesar's Windsor in the background

This location doesn't produce a lot of fish, but it's accessible for river fishing, although space is limited. And even more so in 2020 due to floating debris, a fallen tree and significant bank erosion.

A view from a swim on Belle Isle that I fished a couple of times this year. 

I plan to also incorporate more videos going forward as well.

It will be a good way to look forward to 2021 and put 2020 in the rear view mirror.

Places to Fish in Detroit

The list below will include venues in Detroit and throughout the greater Metropolitan area, from Trenton in the south to Grosse Point to the north.

Trenton

Rotary Park

This spot has some snags to overcome,  but is a good option to access the river. I have only managed one catfish from this location in 2 hours I've spent fishing there.

Elizabeth Park

There is a lot of bank space in this location, but there is also a lot of pedestrian activities including walkers, runners, dogs, bicycles, etc.

Meyer Elias Park

There isn't a lot of bank space in this location. Bank erosian has reduced the fishable spots tremendously in the past 6 to 8 years. It becomes very weedy too.

Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge

I really had high hopes for carp fishing at the refuge pier just south of Trenton. Unfortunately, my anticipation ended in disappointment.

Straight down from the pier railing where I fished, the depth is 5'. Unfortunately, that's probably not ideal for river carp fishing. I've had better results in finding deeper drop offs up to 12 - 15 feet and also spots that are 10 feet or so across the board. 

With the high volume of foot traffic at the pier, I am guessing the carp "spook" and relocate away from all the commotion.

Wyandotte

Bishop Park

Ecorse

John Dingell Park

The current in this spot is challenging, but over the years I've caught quite a few carp in this park. I just let the bait rest against the seawall straight down from the rod rest, which helps reduce issues with the current.

19 pounds

River Rouge

Belanger Park

Southeast Detroit

Riverside Park


Detroit

Belle Isle

Conclusion

Be prepared that not every fishing trip will be successful. But, with big risks come big rewards.

Can you imagine catching a 40 pound carp from the Detroit River? I definitely can. I personally believe it is a matter of preparation and persistence. There are documented carp examples of 36 pounds in the Detroit River. There are reports of 40 pound carp in Lake Erie. Those waters are connected, so the potential is definitely there.

11 Tips for Catching Smallmouth Buffalo

Where I live, it's fairly rare to catch a smallmouth buffalo. Although Lake Erie does have a population of the fish, we haven't been able to catch them with regularity like we have carp and catfish, so when a smallmouth buffalo shows up in the net it's always a treat.

A recent small-mouth buffalo I caught

In this post I'd like to share some tips that I have learned that I feel help increase the odds of catching them.

How to catch more small-mouth buffalo

• Target bodies of water with confirmed populations of fish.
• Use baits with "hot" characteristics such as chili powder, hot pepper, hot sauce, etc.
• Make some boilies from habernero, jalapeno or serrano peppers.
• Watch your rods closely.
• Let me repeat....watch your rods closely.
• Buffalo bite very, very lightly on the bait, so you have to detect bites when they occur.
• Buffalo very seldom ever take a bait and run with it, so you usually have to "set the hook".
• Buffalo sometimes "mouth" a bait for 10, 15 or even 30 minutes.
• It may seem like a fish is "bumping" the pack bait, but in reality it may be a small-mouth buffalo "mouthing" the bait.
• It's quite possible that the fish is hooked, but still sitting there content to "hold" the bait.
• I feel the longer they hold it without a hook set, the more chances they will "leave" without being caught.

I don't usually grab the rod and set the hook with every little bump, but if I have watched for a while and notice the line tightening and loosening 2 or 3 times in a short period I try to pick up the rod and reel in some line. Most of the time I find a smallmouth buffalo on the hook.

When I first started catching them it was quite accidental. I caught them in spite of myself. I've heard people say it's bad luck to watch the rods while bottom fishing for carp, but I'm someone who likes to watch my rods and I feel it's helped put more small-mouth buffalo in the net as a result.

My niche in carp fishing seems to be catching small-mouth buffalo. Some people catch a lot of mirrors. Some catch a lot of two-tones. I seem to catch a higher number of buffalo. And I'm not complaining. I will continue to experiment and find new ways to swing the odds in my favor while bank fishing.

2 Detroit River Common Carp

I caught two more common carp at the Detroit River today. The "Strait" aka Detroit River, is one of my favorite carp swims.

The fish in this particular location run on the smaller side of about 11# or less this year. I did catch one just shy of 17# three weeks ago, but other than that one....mehhh.

Today I used my usual panko packbait with Cherry Blast flavoring and the Trilogy flavored hook bait.

Detroit River Common Carp

I caught these common carp at the Detroit River in Michigan today while fishing near Trenton.

The first one was landed very early upon arrival and the second one hit the net around 10:30 a.m.

I used panko, bird seed, chicken feed, corn and peanut suet for a pack bait mix and Trilogy Cryptic King Corn for hook baits. Cream corn was flavored with chocolate hazelnut.

It was the first time fishing this particular spot on the river, which provides a nice current break from the normal heavy flow.

Detroit River Carp Fishing Phone Videos

I snapped a couple of videos of two releases from yesterday's session at the Detroit River. This is a technique I often use when fishing alone at a lake or river where I can get closer to the water without holding the phone out over the water.

About the time I was holding the landing net in one hand and trying to take the video with the other, I realized the risk I was taking by holding my $400 Galaxy S9 smart phone out over the railing. Visions of me dropping the phone into the river never to be seen again were dancing through my mind.

A far better choice would have been to ask my fishing partner for more assistance with the net to allow both hands for securing the phone.

I also have a GoPro 5 that I really should be using more often as well. It's perfect for these types of video captures.

Detroit River Carp Fishing

Detroit River - We ended up with three common carp today before the rain became too heavy and frequent to ignore any longer.

If you are looking to fish someplace new, with different obstacles than a lake provides and like a challenge; give the river a try. It might surprise you. 

We think of the river as a vast open body of water, but you can catch.

I caught this one early 10' from shore

This one weighed just under 17 pounds

This one was hooked awhile before I realized it

You don't need to cast far. A few feet is fine. It will be easier to deal with current, weeds, boaters, lack of heavy leads, etc.

I've actually learned that heavy leads sometimes cause snags and lost tackle, so use the lightest leads you can get get by with.

Huron River Carp Fishing

I live near the Huron River. It's a short, convenient drive to fish there whenever I am short on time. This spot is seasonal and is not open year round. It opens around Memorial Day and closes in October (or maybe a little earlier). It's usually a good summer spot, but has been very, very weedy in 2020.

Here are a few Huron River carp I caught in 2018 in a very good summer fishing spot.

A couple of years ago I had the best carp fishing day of my life in this spot and landed more than 35 common carp in a 9 hour day.

I don't often grow tired of landing too many fish, but that day I was hoping for a reprieve a couple of times. Landing 35 fish by yourself, re-baiting, recasting, etc. in light rain and 90 degree weather will wear you down just a little.

Detroit River Carp Fishing

I fished the Detroit River Saturday for 9 hours.

I had 2 carp and a catfish by 8:30. Then another very stout, hard fighting catfish (surprisingly) at 10:30. I suffered through 4 or 5 hours of fish after fish getting lost in the massive weed bed that's developed in the past 2 weeks.

Fun all in all though.

When carp fishing, anglers are often disappointed to catch catfish. The Detroit River does have some pretty nice flatheads and channel catfish. For comparison though, my largest catfish is 12# and my largest carp is 37#. 

The record book for the Mississippi River reflects that catfish do grow bigger on average than carp, but accessing those big, deep holes that catfish thrive in on those bigger rivers is pretty tough for a shore fisherman like me.

Big River Carping

We've reached the time of year when the easy carp fishing successes start to decrease. This provides opportunities to branch out a little into untapped venues.

We live near a carp fishing resource that I don't fish enough - the Detroit River.

Pre-COVID I had big plans to fish the river a lot in 2020, but some popular spots are pretty congested at peak fishing times and days.

While not directly on the river, there are nice accessible spots with parking and shade on Belle Isle. Unfortunately, I've not caught a fish there yet.

Urban River Carping

I like the convenience of carp fishing in smaller urban rivers. Food, gas and other conveniences are close by and it's a shirt drive from home.

This is a typical size at the venue.
Average weights range from 8 to 12.

If it ever grows into its belly,
this fish may be a PB the next time
it is caught.

Two Common Carp

2020 has been a rough year for carp fishing in Michigan.

By this time of the fishing season I would typically have caught at least 20 - 30 carp, but this year I've caught only 2 common carp and 2 big mouth buffalo.

This Detroit River fish was in pristine condition. The scales were perfect.

This fish was smaller than I hoped, but very welcome for my first carp of 2020.

I'm always on the look out for new fishing locations for carp fishing. Many of my typical go to spots are not producing fish consistently right now.

The lull at established spots creates a need to locate, scout and fish new place to catch carp. Being an effective scout for new carp swims pays dividends in the long run, but in the short term it can be pretty tough.

Some ideas for effective scouting:

• Michigan DNR website
• Recommendations from fellow fishermen 
• Carp fishing forums
• Facebook groups
• Google search
• Blogs
• Fishbrain
• And on and on...endless possibilities 

2nd Buffalo of 2020

After blanking on Friday, I headed out to a different spot on Saturday. It was a long day as well, but I did grind it out for 7 hours and managed to catch this small big mouth buffalo on a tiger nut / maize combo hook bait.

I think the water temperatures here are still a little cooler than optimum for successfully catching more than a fish or two at this point. Things should improve as we have more consistent temperatures in the 60's during the next couple of weeks.

If you want to learn how I catch buffalo, this prior post will help:

Tips for Catching Smallmouth Buffalo

First Fish of 2020 - Big Mouth Buffalo

I caught this big mouth buffalo during my first outing in April 2020.

It was my attempt at social distance fishing. Normally, I encourage people to ask questions when I'm out fishing. People are always interested when they see big fish being caught. It's something they are interested in and for most folks this normal sized buffalo weighing about 13 pounds would be the biggest fish caught in their lifetime.

I caught this first on my second round of casting on a hair rig of maize for bait.

I carried hand sanitizer, baby wipes and a face mask with me. The sanitizer helped with hand washing and the face mask was available if I needed to have direct interaction with someone at any point. Car trouble, medical trouble, flat tires, a vehicle accident, buying gasoline are all possibilities.

The release video turned out pretty well. Its tricky to video with my cell phone and maneuver the fish concurrently.

If you want to learn how I catch buffalo, this prior post will help:

Tips for Catching Smallmouth Buffalo

39 Hours of Angling - Season Premiere Tonight

Watch it now:

39 Hours of Angling

Happy 2020

It's the time of year people set some goals for the upcoming year. I have lots of personal goals regarding my personal life, health and career, but since this is a carp fishing blog I'll keep it carpy.

I don't like to put a timeline on catching new personal bests because I usually catch them when I least expect it.

But my primary desires are two fold:

-- Catch some carp on a fly rod
-- Fish more in 2020 than 2019

That's going to require purchasing fly fishing gear, learning to use it, and brushing up on tactics for stalking fish.

The second one should be easy, but it does require a little luck with favorable weather and is sometimes reduced when unexpected family or work events arise.

-- And last, but not least, I'd like to take 3 people carp fishing that haven't experienced it before to help grow the sport.

If you know someone who might enjoy reading this blog, please share it with them.

I am grateful for my core group of 40 or so casual readers and I'd like to continue growing it.