Saginaw Bay limit catches of walleye were taken with a bottom bouncer and crawler harness in eight to 12 feet near the Pinconning Bar. A few yellow perch, catfish, white bass or freshwater drum were also caught. Walleye were caught off the State Park, near the Dumping Grounds and the Spark Plug near Buoys 1 & 2 in 20 to 23 feet with a crawler harness or crank bait. Off Quanicassee, walleye were found in eight to 10 feet straight out or in the south end of the Slot. Catfish, carp, and longnose gar were found near shore and in the cuts and rivers. Walleye were caught in the Slot and all the way up to North Island in 10 to 14 feet. From Quanicassee to Caseville, largemouth bass and pike were hitting artificial baits near shore.
- Saginaw River had high water levels from the recent rains. At Smith Park in Essexville, catfish were caught on crawlers.
- Tittabawassee River is running high, fast and muddy. The launch at Center Road was somewhat flooded. Fishing in these conditions has been poor.
Au Gres Area limit catches of walleye were taken in 25 to 35 feet between Point Lookout and Point Au Gres or between the Rifle River and the Pinconning Bar. Some are using a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness while others are using a body bait. Perch, freshwater drum and white bass were also caught.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda lake trout were caught when trolling spoons, spin-glo’s and flies in 40 to 70 feet between Three Mile Beach and Au Sable Point. The occasional Chinook or steelhead were also caught when trolling spoons. Green, orange, purple and chrome were hot colors. The walleye action was slow, but a few were taken early morning or late evening when casting body baits. Fire-tiger, rainbow trout and clown were good colors. Smallmouth bass were caught on crawlers or minnows. Pier anglers caught carp, freshwater drum, rock bass and a couple nice channel cats on crawlers.
- Au Sable River water temperatures are approaching 60 degrees. Steelhead were slow this week as most have dropped back to the lake. Those drifting crawlers, flies or beads as well as casting spoons in the holes did catch a couple steelhead and suckers. A few Atlantic salmon were up as far as Foote Dam and were caught when drifting wax worms or swinging streamer flies. Walleye fishing was slow down near the mouth, but a few were taken when drifting crawlers or casting jigs and body baits. On Foote Pond, a few pike were taken when casting large crank baits and panfish were taken when floating crawlers in shallow water. Cooke Pond had smallmouth bass hitting body baits and jigs with soft plastics.
Port Austin had good catches of walleye west of the harbor when trolling crank baits in 12 to 20 feet.
Tawas Area lake trout, steelhead, and Chinook salmon were taken on spoons in 40 to 60 feet near Tawas Point. Walleye were caught on spoons or bottom bouncer with a crawler harness in 25 to 35 feet.
- Tawas River fishing near Gateway Park caught smallmouth bass, pike, catfish, or the odd walleye in the evening. Most were casting jigs and lures or still-fishing with crawlers on the bottom.
Fishing Tip: Help prevent the introduction & spread of invasive species
As a boater and/or angler you can do your part to help make sure Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams are protected against invasive species. Below are some simple steps.
- CLEAN boats, trailers & 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.