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Fishing St. Joseph River (MI): what the data says
Three Rivers to Berrien Springs. walleye, smallmouth and big flatheads. The river tops out around 13 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Walleye fishing at St. Joseph River (MI)
Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 3 to 13 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 13 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 13 ft. The spot to know is Three Rivers Dam tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 11 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 13 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Smallmouth Bass fishing at St. Joseph River (MI)
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. They move out to 4 to 13 ft in summer and finish the year down in 4 to 13 ft. The spot to know is Riffle & run (mile 5.0), a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Flathead Catfish fishing at St. Joseph River (MI)
Start shallow in spring: flathead catfish sit in 3 to 13 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 13 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 13 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Tailout eddy (mile 0.3): a eddy pocket around 7 ft that scores prime in spring. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 13 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 13 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | midday |
Channel Catfish fishing at St. Joseph River (MI)
Spring channel catfish on St. Joseph River (MI) hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 4 to 13 ft in summer and finish the year down in 4 to 13 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 2.2), a creek channel in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 4 to 13 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | midday |
Steelhead fishing at St. Joseph River (MI)
Start shallow in spring: steelhead sit in 2 to 13 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 1 to 13 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 13 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Three Rivers Dam tailrace: a dam tailrace around 11 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A orange dodger + fly high in the column or a thin spoon off boards covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon or spinner at the mouths, Jig + waxworm under float |
| Summer | 1 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Orange dodger + fly high in the column, Thin spoon off boards |
| Fall | 2 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Spinner (silver/blue), Casting spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 13 ft | midday | Float jig (black/purple), Bead rig |
Coho Salmon fishing at St. Joseph River (MI)
Spring coho salmon on St. Joseph River (MI) hold shallow, usually 2 to 13 ft. Summer fish stay in 4 to 13 ft, and winter fish hold in 4 to 13 ft. The spot to know is Three Rivers Dam tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 11 ft of water that rates prime for coho salmon in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a dodger + fly or a medium spoon above the thermocline gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Small orange dodger + peanut fly, Thin spoon (orange/silver) |
| Summer | 4 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + fly, Medium spoon above the thermocline |
| Fall | 3 to 13 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Spinner (chartreuse) |
| Winter | 4 to 13 ft | midday | Small spoon, slow troll |
St. Joseph River (MI) also holds chinook salmon (4 to 13 ft in summer), rock bass (3 to 13 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
Notable structure
- Three Rivers Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 11 ft
- Mottville Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 11 ft
- Constantine Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 11 ft
- Hartenstene Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 11 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 12.9): eddy pocket, around 11 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.2): creek channel, around 10 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 11.2): creek channel, around 10 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 17.2): creek channel, around 10 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.4): creek channel, around 10 ft
- Inside bend (mile 9.9): point, around 9 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 0.3): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 15.3): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 8.7): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 14.4): eddy pocket, around 7 ft
Common questions
How deep is St. Joseph River (MI)?
St. Joseph River (MI) is about 13 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in St. Joseph River (MI)?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, flathead catfish, chinook salmon, coho salmon, steelhead, rock bass on St. Joseph River (MI).
Where is the best fishing spot on St. Joseph River (MI)?
Riffle & run (mile 5.0) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish St. Joseph River (MI)?
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Corey Lake · Clear Lake · Bair Lake · Pleasant Lake · Long Lake · Long Lake
See how St. Joseph River (MI) stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Michigan · best walleye lakes in Michigan · best channel catfish lakes in Michigan · best chinook salmon lakes in Michigan
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