Spring on the Detroit River is an event that every angler, from seasoned veterans to absolute beginners, should experience at least once. It’s not just great fishing—it's the heart of the walleye world. We host the single biggest walleye migration on the planet as millions of Lake Erie walleye push upstream to spawn.

As your guide with Reel Fishn LLC, I can tell you that when these fish are running, there is only one way to consistently put trophy-class walleye in the boat: vertical jigging.

The Detroit River is widely recognized as one of the top destinations for walleye fishing in the United States, particularly during the spring season. Although there are numerous presentation methods that can be effective, vertical jigging with heavy jigs weighing 3/4 and 1 ounce is the most commonly used. This is because the river's heavy currents, the fact that walleye prefer deeper water, and the fish's widespread distribution make vertical jigging the most viable option. However, it is important to have the appropriate gear to execute this technique effectively. Here are some tips on how to "gear up" for vertical jigging:

As a tournament fisherman I always held to the belief to use the lightest jig possible to keep contact with the bottom. Not a bad rule if everyone in the boat is a skilled jig fisherman and your TOTAL focus can be put on boat control. When I started guiding my thinking changed-and to my surprise so did my success!

I spend most of my time in the Upper River, from the mouth of Lake St. Clair downstream to the Ambassador Bridge, but will head further south if necessary, to catch fish. The Upper River is loaded with shallow flats, deep drop offs, rock beds, and deep current areas.