Downriver Outdoors

Detroit River/Trenton Channel

Information Page

The Detroit River and Trenton Channel is one of the Midwest’s premier Walleye fisheries. The information that I have compiled below should provide you to a trouble free and enjoyable outing on the river.

Information for Navigational Interests :

If you are not aware many areas of the river are under a no wake restriction. The following No Wake Ordinances and images for waters in Trenton, Grosse Ile and Gibraltar were taken from the Wayne County Sheriff Marine Patrol website which can be viewed by visiting : www.waynecounty.com/sheriff/wakesmain.htm

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City of Trenton Speed of Boats Ordinance

On the following waters of the Detroit River, within the corporate limits of the city of Trenton, Wayne County, town 4 south, range 11 east, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed, when within 1000 feet of any shore, dock, or pierhead.

This rule applies only to vessels used for recreational puroposes

On the waters of all artificial and natural channels and canals, within the corporate limits of the city of Trenton, Wayne County, town 4 south, range 11 east, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed

Grosse Ile Township
Speed of Boats Ordinance

Section 94. Speed; Within 1000 feet of shorline; No Wake.

1. On the waters of teh Detroit River and connected waters, Town 4 South, Range 11 East and Town 5 South, Range 11 East, Grosse Ile Township, Wayne County, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed when within 1000 feet of any shore, dock or pierhead, except:

a. East of Grosse Ile and west of Ballards Reef Channel from Black Can Buoy #1 upstream to Grosse Ile Spit Lighted Buoy LL 969 (HB 1 QK FLW) and

b. West of Grosse Ile and east of teh mainland of Wayne County from Red Nun #6 upstream to Grosse Ile Split Lighted Buoy LL 969 (HB 1 QK FLW) and

c. On those waters adjacent to the Island of Mama Juda, Powder House, and Stony.

2. Thorofare Canal: slow--no wake speed.

On the waters of Thorofare Canal, P.C. 549, 550, 551, Town 4 South , Range 11 East, Grosse Ile Township, Wayne County, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed.

3. Frenchman Creek and connected waters; slow--no wake speed.

On the waters of Frenchman Creek, passages east and west of Round Island and connected artifical canal, Town 4 South , Range 11 East, Grosse Ile Township, Wayne County, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed.

4. Meso-Hickory Passage; slow--no wake speed.

On the waters of the passage between meso and Hickory Islands, Town 5 South, Range 11 East, Grosse Ile Township, Wayne County, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed.

5. Swan Island Canal; slow--no wake speed.

On the waters of the canal between Swan Island and teh mainland of Grosse Ile, Town 4 South, Range 11 East, Town 5 South, Range 11 East, Grosse Ile Township, Wayne County, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed.

6. Elba Island Canals; slow--no wake speed.

On the waters of the natual and artifical channels and canals adjacent to Elaba Island, P.C. 553, 554 and 557, Town 4 South, Range 11 East, Town 5 South, Range 11 East, Grosse Ile Township, Wayne County, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow--no wake speed.

Gibraltar Code Regarding Wake Zones

Gibraltar Regulation No. 82, Wayne County, R281.782.12,
Detroit River, City of Gibraltar; slow--no wake speed;

(1) On the waters of the Detroit River, within the corporate limits of the City of Gibraltar, Wayne County, Town 4 South, Range 10 and 11 East, Town 5 South, Range 10 and 11 East, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessle to exceed a slow--no wake speed when within 500 feet of any shore, dock or pierhead.

(2) This rule applies only to vessels used for recreational purposes.

Gibraltar Regulation No. 82, Wayne County, R281.782.13,
Natural and artificial channels and canals, City of Gibraltar; slow--no wake speed;

On the waters of all artificial and natural channels and canals, within the corporate limits of the City of Gibraltar, Wayne County, Town 4 South, Range 10 and 11 East, Town 5 South, Range 10 and 11 East, it is unlawful for the operator of a vessle to exceed a slow--no wake speed when within 500 feet of any shore, dock or pierhead.

Please Note: Due to low water levels extreme caution should be excercised while navigating areas outside marked channels.

Navigation and Weather Links:

US Coast Guard 9^th District: Local Notices for Navigation: http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/lnm/d9/

National Weather Service Marine Forcasts: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/grr/main/weather/marine/index_marine.html

Channel 4 Marine Forcasts: http://www.clickondetroit.com/weather/boatingforecast/

Canadian Coast Guard, Local Notices to Shipping: http://www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca/notship/series_c_e.asp

US Coast Guard Navigation Center: (Loran C and GPS Status Page) http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/gps/default.htm

US Coast Guard Auxiliary 9^th District: http://www.uscgaux.org/~092/public.htm

US Coast Guard 9^th District Security Initiative: http://www.uscg.mil/d9/eyesonthewater/lakeerie.htm

US Immigration and Nationalization Service, I-68 Boat Landing Program: http://www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/publicaffairs/newsrels/boatlanding.htm

Michigan Fishing Regulations

As any law enforcement officer will tell you, "Ignorance of the law is no excuse". Rules and Regulations can change at any time. To keep abreast of these changes I urge you to read the current Michigan Fishing Regulations. This information can be read by visiting Michigan DNR Website at: www.michigan.gov/dnr

Limit: 5 Walleye per licensed angler

Size Limit: 15” Minimum

Launches and Marinas

There are numerous launches and marina in the area which allow quick, easy access to fishing areas.

Lake Erie Metro Park

32481 W. Jefferson

P.O. Box 120

Brownstown, Michigan

Phone: (734) 379-5020

http://www.metroparks.com/parks/pk_lake_erie.php#

Elizabeth Park Marina

W Jefferson Ave At Grosse Ile Pkwy
Trenton, MI 48183

Phone: (734) 675-8051

http://www.waynecounty.com/parks/elizabeth_marina.htm

Wyandotte Boat Ramp

711 Biddle St
Wyandotte, Michigan

Phone: (734) 284-6774

http://www.wbramp.com/index.htm

Bait, Tackle and Supplies

Bottom Line, Bait and Tackle

Rockwood, Michigan

Phone: 734-379-9762

http://bottomlinetackle.tripod.com/

Hook, Line and Sinker:
2700 Fort Street

Trenton, Michigan

Phone: 734-692-9839

http://bottomlinetackle.tripod.com/HLS.htm

Gander Mountain

14100 Pardee Road

Taylor, Michigan, 48180

Phone: 734-287-7420

Dick’s Sporting Goods

23349 Eureka Road

Taylor, Michigan

Phone: 734-374-0429

Cabela’s:

Dundee, Michigan

www.cabelas.com

Andy’s Tackle Box: Melvindale, Michigan

17485 Dix-Toledo Rd
Melvindale, Michigan

Phone: (313) 388-3040

Trenton Lighthouse

3021 W. Jefferson

Trenton, MI 48183

Phone: (734) 675-7080

Overnight Accommodations

Sleep Inn: Flat Rock, Michigan

http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10213361O.html

Map and Directions: http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10213361M.html?ses=dc7f2f9789da5ab7a5876fd1ab9ac85892402

Nearest Launch(s): Elizabeth Park and Lake Erie Metro Park

Best Western: Woodhaven, Michigan

http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10193611O.html

Map and Directions: http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10193611M.html?ses=dc7f2f9789da5ab7a5876fd1ab9ac85892402

Nearest Launch(s): Elizabeth Park and Lake Erie Metro Park

Knights Inn: Woodhaven, Michigan

http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10204823O.html

Map and Directions: http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10204823M.html?ses=dc7f2f9789da5ab7a5876fd1ab9ac85892402

Nearest Launch(s): Elizabeth Park and Lake Erie Metro Park

Holiday Inn Express Suites: Woodhaven, Michigan:

http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-11288699O.html

Maps and Directions: http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-11288699M.html?ses=dc7f2f9789da5ab7a5876fd1ab9ac85892402

Nearest Launch(s): Elizabeth Park and Lake Erie Metro Park

Holiday Inn-Heritage Center: Southgate, Michigan

http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10223961O.html

Maps and Directions: http://reservations.americanhotelguide.com/hotel/10006233-10223961M.html?ses=dc7f2f9789da5ab7a5876fd1ab9ac85892402

Nearest Launch(s): Wyandotte and Elizabeth Park

That ought about cover the basics. If you have any suggestions on what else you would like to see here or any questions feel free to e-mail me at downriveroutdoors@yahoo.com