Saginaw Bay Yellow perch were caught in 15 feet of water at Linwood, Gambill’s Landing and the Old Shipping Channel. Fish were also caught at Spoils Island in 14 to 16 feet of water. Off Quanicassee, a few perch were caught around 8 to 10 feet of water on perch rigs with minnows. Fishing around the Sebwaing area was slow with only a few perch being caught with most being small. Some northern pike and largemouth bass were caught near shore on a variety of artificial baits. With waters cooling down on Saginaw Bay, yellow perch could be found around weed beds in 10 feet of water or less on the east side of the bay. Anglers may need to bounce from spot to spot to find fish.
Au Gres Area Perch fishing was hit or miss. Boat anglers were catching perch out near Pt. Au Gres in 15 to 25 feet of water off minnows.
Pine River Boat anglers were catching some perch near the mouth of the Pine River in 4 to 6 feet of water off minnows. Catches were also made out towards the Saganing and Pinconning bars in 15 to 20 feet of water. A few walleye were also caught out in front of the Pine River in 16 to 18 feet of water off body baits.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda Pier anglers caught a few Coho and steelhead. Pike, bass and a few walleye were caught off the pier as well. Anglers were mostly using minnows, casting spinners, spoons and a few body baits. Common colors that were seeing success were hot pink, orange, chartreuse and glow lures at night.
Au Sable River Anglers were seeing success with catching Coho, a few steelhead and Atlantic salmon. Various methods were seeing success. Anglers were mostly using spawn or beads but spoons and spinners were seeing success as well. Common colors used were hot pink, orange and chartreuse.
Tawas Bay Area Boat anglers were catching a few walleye inside the bay in 15 to 22 feet of water while using body baits. Some perch were caught in the bay up near Jerry’s Marina and at the Yacht Club off crawlers or minnows. Dock anglers were catching some catfish in the Tawas River at Gateway Park off crawlers or shrimp. There were a few walleye and Chinook salmon caught while casting body baits.
Fishing Tip: Fall Great Lakes pier fishing for smallmouth
Fall is a great time to target smallmouth bass with Great Lakes pier fishing, a tactic underutilized by many anglers. As the lakes and rivers cool, minnows will congregate around the piers. Large, educated river smallmouth migrating downstream in the fall often will drop their guard when gorging on minnows at the river mouth, allowing some very nice fish to be taken on minnows that otherwise would be very slow to bite.