Inner Saginaw Bay, anglers were catching yellow perch at Spoils Island in 14 feet of water, at Linwood in 14 feet of water, at the Old Shipping Chanel in 16 feet of water and at the Spark Plug in 25 feet of water. Anglers were using minnows and worms for bait.
Au Gres Area boat anglers were catching some perch straight out from the river mouth and out in front of the hotel in 20 to 35 feet off minnows. Anglers were sorting through a lot of smaller fish but were managing to get nice catches. Bass anglers were catching some largemouth bass in the Au Gres River while casting spinners and body baits. Down south of Au Gres, near the Rifle, Saganning and Pinconning bars, perch anglers were also sorting through small fish to keep some in 15 to 20 feet of water off minnows.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda anglers were mostly catching lake trout, steelhead and walleye. Pier anglers were catching mostly bass and some Chinook salmon. Trolling spoons of various colors around 80 to 100 feet of water was the popular method when targeting salmon and trout. Off the pier, common methods for targeting bass, walleye and catfish were floating leeches and nightcrawlers, casting stick or body baits, and the use of drop shot rigs for catfish. While targeting salmon, pier anglers were casting spoons and body baits.
Au Sable River anglers were seeing success while fishing for bass, pike, panfish, some catfish and a few salmon. Various methods were seeing success. Most commonly was the use of casting or trolling body baits and spoons. While catfish and panfish were being caught with the use of drop shot rigs with night crawlers around dusk.
Tawas Area boat anglers were catching a few walleye inside the bay near buoys 4 & 6 and near the weed beds in 20 to 30 feet of water off crawlers and crank baits. Some walleye, steelhead, Atlantic and coho salmon were caught in 50 to 70 feet out past buoy 2 and working south towards Alabaster and the Bell buoy while using spoons, crawlers and body baits. Pier anglers were catching a few small perch off minnows. Shore and dock anglers were catching Chinook salmon and pike in the Tawas River at Gateway Park while casting spoons and body baits.
Fishing Tip: Help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species
Anglers and boaters can do their part to help make sure Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams are protected against invasive species by following these some simple steps:
- CLEAN boats, trailers and equipment.
- DRAIN live wells, bilges and all water.
- DRY boats and equipment.
- DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
Want to learn more about how you can help? Visit michigan.gov/Invasives