I don't fish that way often but yes, the lower Detroit River has been good in my few visits. A friend of mine got plenty of smaller ones at of Four Mile lake last winter, and my last couple tries on Barton Pond saw plenty of action (only carry-in boats there as far as I know). Usual pike baits and areas, could do a lot worse than throwing spinnerbaits all day.

"edalz" said:
I was thinking of using flurocarbon leaders with a circle hook for the kids to use and to get some good size shiners and put all of this on a spinning setup with a decent size bobber. Since we are talking about 7 year olds I though this might be the best and safest setup. Does anyone recommend a better setup for kids? What size flurocarbon? What size circle hooks? Any thoughts or ideas would be appreciated.

That would work but I would skip the flouro and use tieable wire like Tyger. They're pike and like muskies aren't very smart… or leader shy.

I should have paid more attention to your original post though. Personally if he just wants to catch fish take him to Anchor Bay in May, give him a tube to cast/drag and he'll have more fun than you can imagine catching smallmouths but also a mix of many other species including esocids.