A look at Lake St. Clair

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The mid-season swing to the North continues with the YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, Thursday through Sunday. It will be the 11th pro level B.A.S.S. event on the fishery.
The mid-season swing to the North continues with the YETI Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair, Thursday through Sunday. It will be the 11th pro level B.A.S.S. event on the fishery.
B.A.S.S. usually sends the Elite Series north during late in the summer to close the season, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancelations and rescheduling of events. The venture into northern waters has become the mid-season, with St. Clair being the fifth of nine events. It had been scheduled on the same dates as the season finale.
B.A.S.S. usually sends the Elite Series north during late in the summer to close the season, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancelations and rescheduling of events. The venture into northern waters has become the mid-season, with St. Clair being the fifth of nine events. It had been scheduled on the same dates as the season finale.
Lake St. Clair is a famed smallmouth fishery in the middle of the Great Lakes. Often referred to as the “Sixth Great Lake,” St. Clair is a heart-shaped lake that roughly covers about 430 square miles and has an average depth of 11 feet. It has the largest delta in the Great Lakes system.
Lake St. Clair is a famed smallmouth fishery in the middle of the Great Lakes. Often referred to as the “Sixth Great Lake,” St. Clair is a heart-shaped lake that roughly covers about 430 square miles and has an average depth of 11 feet. It has the largest delta in the Great Lakes system.
Canada’s Quarantine Act makes its side of St. Clair off limits, but anglers can venture into American waters as far south as the Ambassador Bridge in the Detroit River to as far as they dare travel north into Lake Huron.
Canada’s Quarantine Act makes its side of St. Clair off limits, but anglers can venture into American waters as far south as the Ambassador Bridge in the Detroit River to as far as they dare travel north into Lake Huron.
Lake St. Clair, which ranks fourth in <em>Bassmaster</em> Magazine’s Best Bass Lakes of the Decade, is part of the massive system that contains more than one-fifth of the world’s fresh water at 6 quadrillion gallons. The water from the Great Lakes would cover the entire U.S. 9 feet deep.
Lake St. Clair, which ranks fourth in Bassmaster Magazine’s Best Bass Lakes of the Decade, is part of the massive system that contains more than one-fifth of the world’s fresh water at 6 quadrillion gallons. The water from the Great Lakes would cover the entire U.S. 9 feet deep.
Lake St. Clair Metro Park is tournament central this week. The facility, about 20 miles northeast of Detroit in Harrison Township, covers 770 acres on Point Huron.
Lake St. Clair Metro Park is tournament central this week. The facility, about 20 miles northeast of Detroit in Harrison Township, covers 770 acres on Point Huron.
Takeoffs for the 85 Elites from the Macomb County facility are scheduled each morning at 7:30 a.m. ET, and weigh-ins will be held there at approximately 4:10 p.m. ET. Due to COVID restrictions, anglers will follow social distancing guidelines.
Takeoffs for the 85 Elites from the Macomb County facility are scheduled each morning at 7:30 a.m. ET, and weigh-ins will be held there at approximately 4:10 p.m. ET. Due to COVID restrictions, anglers will follow social distancing guidelines.
Bassmaster LIVE, which had 7.2 million viewers for its past two tournaments aired on ESPN2, will again by picked up by the network for 19 hours.
Bassmaster LIVE, which had 7.2 million viewers for its past two tournaments aired on ESPN2, will again by picked up by the network for 19 hours.
Viewers should again expect a smallmouth battle royal. Last year in the three-day Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship event on St. Clair, Seth Feider won after bringing in the top three bags of the event — 26 pounds, 12 ounces; 24-13; and 26-6 for a total of 77-15.
Viewers should again expect a smallmouth battle royal. Last year in the three-day Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship event on St. Clair, Seth Feider won after bringing in the top three bags of the event — 26 pounds, 12 ounces; 24-13; and 26-6 for a total of 77-15.
Feider reported that he was fortunate on Day 1 to catch his fish on a community hole in the north section of St. Clair as winds prevented him from getting to his primary school on rock piles down south. There, Feider enjoyed epic catch-fests, reeling in one after another. There were so many bass he allowed other competitors, like Cory Johnston, to join in on the fun.
Feider reported that he was fortunate on Day 1 to catch his fish on a community hole in the north section of St. Clair as winds prevented him from getting to his primary school on rock piles down south. There, Feider enjoyed epic catch-fests, reeling in one after another. There were so many bass he allowed other competitors, like Cory Johnston, to join in on the fun.
Aided by the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament, a 6-12 on Day 1, Feider’s 15 fish averaged 5-3. He was on pace to eclipse 100 pounds, which has not been accomplished with solely smallmouth in Bassmaster competition.
Aided by the Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the tournament, a 6-12 on Day 1, Feider’s 15 fish averaged 5-3. He was on pace to eclipse 100 pounds, which has not been accomplished with solely smallmouth in Bassmaster competition.
Feider, who left the Bassmaster stage saying he would spend the offseason shooting ducks and procreating his second child, said there’s always this year to vie for the Century Belt. Also, Violet Feider was born on Aug. 11, Feider announced, adding she is his new “personal-best human” at 8-12.
Feider, who left the Bassmaster stage saying he would spend the offseason shooting ducks and procreating his second child, said there’s always this year to vie for the Century Belt. Also, Violet Feider was born on Aug. 11, Feider announced, adding she is his new “personal-best human” at 8-12.
The smallmouth in Lake St. Clair have increased in size over the past several decades. When Bassmaster TV analyst Davy Hite won the four-day Michigan Tour event there in August 2001, he totaled 68-1, an average of 17 pounds a day. The prevalence of goby as a forage fish has been credited with the increase in fish weight.
The smallmouth in Lake St. Clair have increased in size over the past several decades. When Bassmaster TV analyst Davy Hite won the four-day Michigan Tour event there in August 2001, he totaled 68-1, an average of 17 pounds a day. The prevalence of goby as a forage fish has been credited with the increase in fish weight.
Winners of Bassmaster tournaments in the past decade have needed more than 20 pounds a day, with Chad Pipkens winning a Northern Open in 2014 by averaging more than 22 pounds each day. Two previous Elite events, in 2017 and 2015, required 22 and 21 pounds, respectively, a day to win.
Winners of Bassmaster tournaments in the past decade have needed more than 20 pounds a day, with Chad Pipkens winning a Northern Open in 2014 by averaging more than 22 pounds each day. Two previous Elite events, in 2017 and 2015, required 22 and 21 pounds, respectively, a day to win.
Beside the $100,000 and prestige as an Elite winner on the line, Bassmaster Angler of the Year points are awarded in what’s once again turning into a tight race. Jamie Hartman leads the point standings with 351 after the visit to his home state of New York, which including a third-place finish on Lake Champlain and 27th on the St. Lawrence River. He stands 6 points ahead of Buddy Gross, who won this year on Lake Eufaula, and 9 points ahead of last year’s AOY winner Scott Canterbury.
Beside the $100,000 and prestige as an Elite winner on the line, Bassmaster Angler of the Year points are awarded in what’s once again turning into a tight race. Jamie Hartman leads the point standings with 351 after the visit to his home state of New York, which including a third-place finish on Lake Champlain and 27th on the St. Lawrence River. He stands 6 points ahead of Buddy Gross, who won this year on Lake Eufaula, and 9 points ahead of last year’s AOY winner Scott Canterbury.
After two Top-10 finishes in New York, including a victory at Champlain, Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk, the 2017 Angler of the Year, put himself in the AOY hunt. He stands ninth, 40 points back of the lead.
After two Top-10 finishes in New York, including a victory at Champlain, Idaho’s Brandon Palaniuk, the 2017 Angler of the Year, put himself in the AOY hunt. He stands ninth, 40 points back of the lead.
The New York swing helped Canadian anglers Chris Johnston and brother Cory Johnston climb up the standings. Both were mired in the 70s, but Cory posted two Top 10s to catapult inside the Classic cut at 27th, and Chris, who at St. Lawrence became the first angler from Canada to win a B.A.S.S. event, is 39th, inside the projected Classic cut of 40th.
The New York swing helped Canadian anglers Chris Johnston and brother Cory Johnston climb up the standings. Both were mired in the 70s, but Cory posted two Top 10s to catapult inside the Classic cut at 27th, and Chris, who at St. Lawrence became the first angler from Canada to win a B.A.S.S. event, is 39th, inside the projected Classic cut of 40th.
After three and a half days of practice this week, the Elites will continue the remade season with event No. 5 starting Thursday morning. If the weather cooperates, history could be made, but the inherent drama of the circuit should shine whether or not anyone belts out the century mark.
After three and a half days of practice this week, the Elites will continue the remade season with event No. 5 starting Thursday morning. If the weather cooperates, history could be made, but the inherent drama of the circuit should shine whether or not anyone belts out the century mark.