Saginaw Bay fishing yellow perch were caught out from Gambles Marina and off Linwood in 17 feet, in the old shipping channel in 14 to 16 feet and east of Spoils Island in 17 feet. Few boats had been out for perch. Try off Quanicassee in 6 to 10 feet. Move around and try both minnows and worms on perch rigs. For walleye, try near the weed beds in 12 to 15 feet between Quanicassee and Sebewaing with a crawler harness or body baits such as a flicker shad. Between Caseville and Oak Point, try 30 to 45 feet.
Au Gres Area #walleyefishing was even slower, as it appears the fish were scattered or out deeper in 25 to 35 feet. A few small perch were caught in front of Point Au Gres in 28 feet and between the Pine River and Eagle Bay Marina in 15 to 30 feet.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda boat anglers are taking a mix of trout and salmon when trolling spoons and spin-glo’s in 100 to 160 feet, though fish also have been taken shallower and deeper. Run lines throughout the water column while focusing on the bottom for lake trout or near and above the thermocline for silver fish. Pier anglers caught channel cats, rock bass, freshwater drum and smallmouth bass on crawlers. The odd walleye was caught on crankbaits or crawlers after dark.
- Au Sable River fishing below Foote Dam, anglers caught a few smallmouth bass and rock bass when drifting or still fishing with crawlers. Channel cats were caught near the mouth when using crawlers in the evening. On Cooke Pond, a couple walleye and smallmouth bass were taken by those trolling crankbaits.
Port Austin walleye were caught off Hat Point Reef in 20 to 40 feet with a crawler harness or body bait. Fire-tiger and purple were good colors.
Tawas Area, good number of walleye and a few perch were caught inside buoys 4 and 6 when using lindy rigs and crawlers in 15 to 25 feet. Those trolling in 70 to 90 feet caught Atlantic salmon, steelhead and the occasional walleye.
- Tawas River Fishing Gateway Park caught a few catfish and freshwater drum with crawlers.
Fishing Tip: Catching bass on top of the water
Many anglers would agree there’s an excitement that comes from using topwater techniques to target bass. There’s something to be said for seeing a bass strike your lure with your own two eyes.
But how do you fish for this species on top of the water? It mostly comes down to location and lure selection.
Target areas that provide good cover for the bass, such as weed beds, logs, big rocks, etc., that have a few feet of water over them. Cast a floating lure next to the cover and play with a bit before reeling it in.
When it comes to lures, select those that float and that are designed to resemble the favorite foods of bass, such as frogs.
Topwater fishing for bass works best in low-light conditions such as early in the morning or late in the evening.