Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up free Sign inSign up freeRiver depth chart
Today's read
Recent public catches load as you reach this section.
9 km of the Clinton River navigation corridor, with channel depths from USACE hydrographic survey. The river tops out around 10 ft. The depth chart comes from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. Below is the species-by-species picture, pulled from the same data the map uses.
On the chart, Clinton River draws 4,505 acres inside 26.5 miles of shoreline. A development index of 2.8 means a maze of bays and points: far more casting targets than a round bowl of the same size. Nothing on this chart breaks 15 ft, which makes the whole surface littoral: weeds, bait and ambush cover everywhere. End to end it runs roughly 6 mi, about 1.5 mi across. For a second option, Lake St. Clair lies 11 mi southeast.
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 10 ft. Summer keeps them at 3 to 10 ft, and they winter in 3 to 10 ft. Spring smallmouth bass concentrate at Riffle & run (mile 7.7), a prime-rated rock pile around 9 ft. Fish it in early morning and the evening and you'll meet the bite. You won't need more than a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig most summer days.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 7.7) (9 ft) | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Riffle & run (mile 7.7) (9 ft) | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | midday & dawn | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 45 ft | midday | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Spring puts channel catfish in skinny water — 3 to 10 ft is the zone. Summer fish stay in 3 to 10 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 10 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 0.4) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 0.4) (7 ft) | |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 0.4) (7 ft) | |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 0.4) (7 ft) | |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | midday | Outside-bend hole (mile 0.4) (7 ft) |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: white perch in 3 to 10 ft. The depth story barely changes: 3 to 10 ft through summer, 3 to 10 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Current seam (mile 5.7), a current seam in the 9 ft range, prime in fall. Time it for early morning. Summer baits: a small spinner rig drifted or a 1/8 oz jigging spoon gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 4 to 15 ft | dusk | Outside-bend hole (mile 0.4) (7 ft) | Small jig + curly tail, Inline spinner (silver) |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 40 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Small spinner rig drifted, 1/8 oz jigging spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Jigging spoon (small), Blade bait |
| Winter | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 50 ft | dusk | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Small rattle spoon, Tungsten + spikes |
Spring brown trout on Clinton River hold shallow, usually 1 to 10 ft. Depth-wise the year is flat: 3 to 10 ft in summer, 1 to 10 ft once it turns cold. The chart's best answer is Current seam (mile 5.7) — current seam, 9 ft, prime for summer. Prime time lands in after dark and early morning. The summer box starts with a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night).
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 3 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 25 to 60 ft | night & dawn | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 2 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 30 ft | dusk & dawn | Riffle & run (mile 7.7) (9 ft) | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 1 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 35 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 3 to 10 ft that time of year. They don't go far with the seasons — 3 to 10 ft covers summer, 2 to 10 ft covers winter. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 5.7), a current seam in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Warm-month bites cluster around early morning and the evening. Throw a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon until the fish tell you otherwise.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | dawn & dusk | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 10 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 40 ft | dawn | Current seam (mile 5.7) (9 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Count 4 structure marks on this chart. The deepest, Current seam (mile 5.7), sits near 9 ft.
| Date | Species | Count | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 12 | Rainbow trout | 675 | ~30.5" |
| Apr 30 | Brown trout | 2,100 | ~11.6" |
| Apr 13 | Rainbow trout | 37,467 | ~18.7" |
Source: Michigan DNR fish-stocking database, retrieved 2026-09-23.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Michigan waters are set by the Michigan DNR — and special regulations can apply to Clinton River specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Michigan fishing regulations →
Clinton River is about 10 ft (3 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target smallmouth bass, channel catfish, white perch, brown trout, rainbow trout on Clinton River. This isn't a survey of the water — none is published for it — but an informed estimate from the species common to the region, narrowed by this water's depth, size and each species' range.
Riffle & run (mile 7.7) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. The map above holds the full rated-spot list for every species and season.
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Yes — per Michigan DNR fish-stocking database records, Clinton River was most recently stocked Jun 12 with 675 rainbow trout. The full stocking history is listed above.
Fishing on Clinton River is regulated by the Michigan DNR. Check the official Michigan regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Lake St. Clair 11 mi, MI/ON · Stony Creek Lake 16 mi · Cusick Lake 19 mi · Galloway Lake 22 mi · Orange Lake 23 mi · Graham Lake (west) 23 mi · Gilbert Lake 23 mi · Lakeville Lake 23 mi · no name Lake 23 mi · Square Lake 25 mi · Long Lake 25 mi · Meadow Lake 25 mi
See how Clinton River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Michigan · best channel catfish lakes in Michigan · best rainbow trout lakes in Michigan · best brown trout lakes in Michigan
Browse all Michigan fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry credit: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.