DNR Says St. Clair Smallmouth Study Shows They Live Longer and Grow Bigger

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Published: 09 April 2025

By JAN-MICHAEL HESSENAUER, Michigan fisheries research biologist

Now is the best time to be a bass angler on Lake St. Clair in at least the last 50 years.

Lake St. Clair in southeastern Michigan, consistently rated as a top 10 bass fishing lake by Bassmaster Magazine, is a popular destination fishery for high-level professional fishing tournaments and fishing enthusiasts from around the world.

Anglers love this opportunity to connect with nature, that feeling of a tug on the line and a beautiful fish in their hands.

This isn’t just hype – smallmouth bass are thriving in Lake St. Clair, despite the presence of invasive species, an intense fishery and other perceived or potential threats.

A new research study from the Michigan DNR Lake St. Clair Fisheries Research Station looked at this fish population to explore what might contribute to its success.
What they found might surprise even the most avid Lake St. Clair anglers.

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Big Bass Dominate Singles Open at Pine/Stone Lakes

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Published: 01 April 2025

Michiana Singles Report

Ten Michiana Singles anglers dodged severe weather Sunday at Pine and Stone lakes in LaPorte, Ind. but still carried plenty of big fish to scales.

There were two bass weighing more than 5 pounds weighed in and three limits caught.

Loren Crosbie won it all with 19.66 pounds that included the second biggest bass, a 5.12-pound largemouth. Crosbie used Chatterbaits on the main lake to take home $210.

Bruce Carman had a limit totaling 16 pounds caught on Rapala DT6 crankbaits while fishing the main lake. He pocketed $100.

Jason Fowler also had a limit of five bass totaling 13.52 pounds, good for $50. Fowler said he lost two that were close to five pounds first thing in the morning while using a jerkbait.

Rick Kedik was fourth with two fish weighing 8.81pounds caught on swimbaits.

Big bass honors went to Steve Martin with a monster 5.56-pound largemouth. Martin used a soft plastic minnow and jig to catch the big fish and $45.

The next Singles event is Thursday, April 10th at Maggies landing on the St. Joseph River. Hours are 5:30 pm – 9 pm and entry fee is $55.

Contact Rick 269-240-4917.