2026 regulation year
Detroit River (border with ON) 2026 — Michigan Fishing Regulations
Michigan statewide rules apply unless overridden below.
Last updated
Detroit River (border with ON) carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Michigan's 2026 fishing rules — covering Walleye. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.
State-level special regulation
Reciprocal licence required to cross; walleye special seasons
Source: Michigan special-water list
Per-species rules on Detroit River (border with ON)
Border water with ON; reciprocal rules; spring run hot-spot
Tournament circuit
Detroit River (border with ON) is a recurring stop on the pro / semi-pro bass and walleye circuits. Schedules shift year to year — typical-window guidance below, with the official circuit schedule linked for current 2026 confirmation.
BASSBassmaster Elite Series
Smallmouth + largemouth bass · August
Detroit River + Lake St. Clair system — recurring Elite Series venue for trophy smallmouth bags. Border water with Ontario; tournament permits handled by MI DNR and reciprocity rules govern crossings into Canadian water during competition.
MLFMLF Toyota Series — Walleye
Walleye · Spring (April – May)
Spring walleye run from Lake Erie through the Detroit River into Lake St. Clair — one of the most concentrated walleye fisheries in North America during the migration.
Official source
Michigan Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Michigan fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.
Other special-regulation waters in Michigan
- Au Sable River — Mason Tract
- Big Manistee
- Grand Traverse Bay (Lake Michigan)
- Lake Erie (MI waters)
- Lake Huron (refuge zones)
- Lake Michigan (Michigan waters)
- Lake St. Clair
- Lake Superior (MI waters)
- Les Cheneaux Islands
- Manistee River below Tippy Dam
- Muskegon Lake
- Pere Marquette River (M-37 to Gleason's Landing)