The Detroit River, connecting Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, is widely recognized as one of the most famous walleye fishing rivers in the world. Each spring, hundreds of thousands of walleye migrate from the western basin of Lake Erie through the Detroit River to spawn, creating the legendary Detroit River walleye run that attracts anglers from across North America.

Flowing approximately 32 miles between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario, the river features deep channels, rocky bottom structure, and strong current that provide ideal spawning habitat for walleye. These conditions also create one of the best vertical jigging fisheries in the Great Lakes region.

During the spring run, anglers typically fish the Detroit River from boats while slowly drifting with the current and maintaining bottom contact using heavy jigs. This technique allows anglers to cover productive areas where migrating walleye stage along channel edges, current breaks, and gravel spawning beds.

Popular fishing areas include Wyandotte, Trenton Channel, Fighting Island, and the Ambassador Bridge area, where anglers target staging fish moving upstream from Lake Erie toward Lake St. Clair.

Because of the river’s strong current and depth, anglers often use ¾-oz to 1-oz jig heads paired with soft plastic baits that imitate the gobies and baitfish commonly found throughout the Great Lakes ecosystem. These presentations allow anglers to keep their bait near the bottom where walleye are actively feeding and staging during the spawning migration.

The Detroit River walleye run typically begins in late March and peaks through April, depending on water temperature and river flow conditions. During this time, the river becomes one of the most productive walleye fisheries in North America.

With its strong fish populations, accessible boat launches, and consistent annual migration, the Detroit River remains a premier destination for anglers targeting trophy Great Lakes walleye.