Saginaw Bay Pinconning Area walleye were caught in 25 feet. Walleye anglers can be found two miles east of the Spark Plug when trolling crawlers or crankbaits in 26 to 28 feet. A few yellow perch also were caught. At Smith Park in Essexville, shore anglers casting for bass caught very few. Walleye are starting to scatter along the east side. Anglers may have to do some searching and cover more water as fish were found in 12 to 32 feet. The Slot off Sunset Bay Marina and all the way up toward North Island is producing walleye, including some limit catches in 17 to 20 feet with a crawler harness or body baits. A couple walleye were caught between Caseville and Port Austin near Oak Beach. Crawler harnesses, flicker shads, spoons and Hot-n-Tots all have taken fish. Most are running artificial baits while increasing trolling speeds to avoid freshwater drum and catfish.
Au Gres Area had a lot of fishing pressure all the way down toward Eagle Bay Marina. Nearly every boat had some walleye, including a few limit catches taken in 30 to 40 feet with crawlers, plastics or spoons.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda anglers caught lake trout, steelhead, pink salmon and a few walleye, coho or Atlantic salmon when trolling spoons and spin-glo’s in 65 to 100 feet between the Au Sable River and Au Sable Point or out at the Humps in 150 to 180 feet. Lake trout were found in the bottom 15 feet, and walleye were found in the top 40 feet. Pier anglers caught freshwater drum, channel cats, rock bass, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye with crawlers or minnows.
- Au Sable River anglers drifting or still fishing crawlers caught freshwater drum, rock bass, smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye. Hex hatches continue between Grayling and Curtisville. A couple pike were caught by those trolling crankbaits in the old stream channel in Mio Pond.
Tawas Area had plenty of walleye, including some limit catches, were taken south of the point towards the “crib” in Alabaster in 70 feet with spoons, body baits or crawlers. Good catches of lake trout were taken southeast of the point in 85 feet with spoons.
- Tawas River at Gateway Park, those using crawlers or lures caught large and smallmouth bass.
Fishing Tip: How to catch your own nightcrawlers
Are you interested in catching and keeping your own nightcrawlers? It’s fairly easy to do – just follow these simple steps:
- Know where to look. Scout locations such as parks, playgrounds and open, grassy areas after a good rain. Look for nightcrawler castings (the little piles of dirt they leave behind) and then plan to visit again following the next good rain.
- Know when to collect. Nightcrawlers are best caught an hour or so after dark.
- Bring the right equipment. Nightcrawlers are sensitive to vibrations, so wear lightweight shoes. They’re also sensitive to bright light, so consider rigging your flashlight with a red cover over the lens.
Store them properly. When you catch nightcrawlers, just lay them on top of some storage bedding – don’t mix them in. This will allow you to remove sick or dead ones more easily.