HERENorthville
Northville MI
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, MDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Wayne lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 6 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌘
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 14%
50°F
40°F
9 mph
1011
as of 9:15 PM ET
Very Good — decreasing moon builds toward new moon peak. Dawn and dusk feeding surges expected.
Wayne • Western Wayne / SW Oakland / Detroit metro MI
Your Local Fishing Resource
HERENorthville is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and MDNR regulations across Wayne. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Northville Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
FAIR
Winter catfish are catchable but slower. Concentrate in deepest lake holes and river pools.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Wayne waters. Always verify MDNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
50F
Cloudy
Feels like 50°F
as of 9:15 PM ET
Wind
9 mph SW
Humidity
93%
Pressure
1011 hPa
Est. Water Temp
40°F
Moon
Waning Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
7:12 am / 5:22 pm
Location
Northville, MI
On-the-Water Tips
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
50°F
Too Hot — Dawn/Dusk
Wind Speed
9 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1011 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌘
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Light Rain Likely
49° / 39°
10 mph wind
FAIR
FRI
Chance Light Rain
48° / 35°
13 mph wind
FAIR
SAT
Partly Sunny
51° / 32°
13 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Mostly Sunny
58° / 34°
12 mph wind
FAIR
MON
Sunny
60° / 42°
8 mph wind
GOOD
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
6 fishing waters within Wayne — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Rouge River (Middle Branch)
River — Middle Branch tributary of the Rouge River system
smallmouth bass
largemouth bass
northern pike
brown trout (stocked, Johnson Creek)
rock bass
rainbow trout (stocked, event)
Angler Tip
Mill Pond / Mill Race (Downtown Northville)
Historic millpond — impoundment on the Rouge River
panfish
carp
small bass
Angler Tip
Maybury State Park Fishing Pond
Spring-fed inland pond (8 acres) within state park
largemouth bass
smallmouth bass
bluegill
pumpkinseed sunfish
yellow perch
Angler Tip
Walled Lake
Natural inland lake (approx. 640 acres)
bluegill
largemouth bass
smallmouth bass
northern pike
yellow perch
black crappie
pumpkinseed
Angler Tip
Phoenix Lake
Impoundment on the Middle Branch Rouge River
largemouth bass
northern pike
channel catfish
bass
panfish
Angler Tip
Fish Hatchery Park / Johnson Creek
Historic hatchery site and cold-water stream corridor
brown trout (stocked)
smallmouth bass
rock bass
panfish
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Northville-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
No Northville-area fishing guides are listed yet.
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
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List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Northville anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Northville and Western Wayne / SW Oakland / Detroit metro
Local
DNR Launches 3-Year Study After 27 Lake Sturgeon Stranded
ONTONAGON, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has started a three-year effort to learn why 27 threatened lake sturgeon ended up cut off in shallow pools below a hydroelectric dam in the western Upper Peninsula this summer, and whether it will keep happening. The fish were found below Victoria Dam in a channel
Nov 4, 2026
Local
Invasive Mudsnails Turn Up in Southern Michigan
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — A tiny invasive snail that has spread through several of northern Michigan's best-known trout rivers has now been found in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula for the first time, state invasive species officials said Monday. New Zealand mudsnails were collected in Bear Creek, a small coldwater stream that feeds
Nov 3, 2026
Local
DNR Uses DNA Tests to Gauge Walleye Stocking Success
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is rolling genetic parentage tests into walleye stocking checks statewide after a Upper Peninsula pilot showed the multimillion-dollar program can succeed in one lake and barely register in others. Biologists briefed the Natural Resources Commission in Marquette this week on parentage-based tagging, which matches DNA from
Oct 17, 2026
More at Outdoor Sports
Hunting, camping, hiking, and all outdoor sports coverage for Northville and Western Wayne / SW Oakland / Detroit metro MI
Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Northville angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Western Wayne / SW Oakland / Detroit metro MI waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Western Wayne / SW Oakland / Detroit metro MI Waters
As an Amazon Associate, HERE earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.
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Learn About Gear AdvertisingMDNR
MDNR Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Wayne waters. Always verify current regulations at michigan.gov.
MI Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Northville Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference (checked 2026-10-16). Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Michigan Department of Natural Resources at michigan.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Apr 25, 2026
Trout opener; Lower Peninsula walleye & pike
Statewide trout opener and the inland Lower Peninsula walleye and northern pike openers (MDNR).
May 23, 2026
Bass possession season opens
Most waters; Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers open June 20 (MDNR).
Jun 6, 2026
Muskellunge possession season opens
Statewide muskie possession opener (MDNR).
Feb 14–15, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend
Fishing licenses waived; all other rules apply (MDNR).
Jun 13–14, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend
Fishing licenses waived; all other rules apply (MDNR).
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Wayne water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. MDNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit michigan.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Northville area, answered.
-
Yes. Anglers 17 and older need a Michigan fishing license to fish public waters; anglers under 17 may fish without one but must follow all fishing rules. Licenses are sold by the Michigan DNR (michigan.gov/dnr).
-
Maybury State Park (49601 Eight Mile Rd.) has an 8-acre spring-fed pond with a bass and bluegill community and a fishing pier near the Beck Road entrance. Northville Township's Fish Hatchery Park (641 Fairbrook St.) is a 17-acre park with a pond for fishing and access to Johnson Creek, a tributary of the Middle Rouge. Downstream in Wayne County's Hines Park, Newburgh Lake (Newburgh Pointe, Livonia) has two fishing piers and a small boat launch.
-
Small boats can launch at Newburgh Pointe on Newburgh Lake (38348 Edward N Hines Dr., Livonia), which Wayne County lists with a small boat launch and two fishing piers. For rentals, Kensington Metropark in Milford rents kayaks and canoes near Maple Beach on Kent Lake (no outboard motors).
-
Northville sits at the Rouge River headwaters. Wayne County's Northville Recreation Area (2540 Edward N Hines Dr.) is in Hines Park along the headwaters, and its trail links downtown Northville with the Hines Park path. Fish Hatchery Park offers access to Johnson Creek, a Middle Rouge tributary. MDNR's stocking database shows no Rouge River stocking from 2024 through 2026.
-
Not locally, according to MDNR's stocking database: there were no trout plants in Northville-area waters from 2024 through 2026. The closest regular trout water is the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area in Oakland County, which MDNR manages as a Type I trout stream and stocks each year (most recently March 30, 2026). Michigan's trout possession season on most streams opens the last Saturday in April (April 25 in 2026).
FISHING NEWS NEAR NORTHVILLE MI
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.
Latest Northville Fishing News
DNR Launches 3-Year Study After 27 Lake Sturgeon Stranded
ONTONAGON, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has started a three-year effort to learn why 27 threatened lake sturgeon ended up cut off in shallow pools…
Invasive Mudsnails Turn Up in Southern Michigan
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — A tiny invasive snail that has spread through several of northern Michigan's best-known trout rivers has now been found in the southern half of…
DNR Uses DNA Tests to Gauge Walleye Stocking Success
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is rolling genetic parentage tests into walleye stocking checks statewide after a Upper Peninsula pilot showed the multimillion-dollar program…
DNR Pike Rules Open Otsego Marsh, Lift Small-Fish Caps
LANSING, Mich. — Fresh DNR northern pike rules that took hold Oct. 15 reopen Otsego County marsh water year-round and let anglers keep more smaller pike on four…
DNR Uses DNA Tags to Judge Walleye Stocking Success
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is leaning on DNA parentage checks to decide where walleye stocking actually works, expanding a method rolled out in…
