Saginaw Bay some walleye were caught off Quanicassee in 8 to 12 feet of water and up in the slot from Sunset to Sebewaing in 16 to 18 feet of water. Some walleye were found in Wildfowl Bay around weed beds. Crawler harnesses and flicker shads were catching walleye.
Walleye were caught in 12 to 14 feet of water near Pinconning. Walleye were also caught at Finn Road in 8 to 10 feet of water and near the Sparkplug in 20 to 24 feet of water while using crawlers. Anglers were casting tub jibs at the mouth of the Saginaw River for smallmouth bass.
Au Gres Area Boat anglers were catching walleye with some limits in 20 to 35 feet of water off crawlers and crank baits. The fish were caught from the Charity Island to south of the catfish hole and the Saganing bar and everywhere in between. A few small perch and bluegill were caught off the dock at the Pine River access site off minnows and crawlers.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Grindstone Area Lake trout were found in 130 to 150 feet of water while trolling with downriggers, leadcore and spoons with an occasional steelhead being caught. A few walleye were caught in 20 feet of water using both artificial lures and crawler harnesses.
Oscoda Area Anglers were catching mixed bag limits of lake trout, rainbow trout, and a few coho and pink salmon. Pier anglers were catching mostly bass, freshwater drum, and catfish with the occasional walleye. Trolling spoons with metallic colors like orange/gold and silver/blue with the use of dipsy divers and downriggers in the deeper water around 200 feet of water has been the popular method when targeting salmon and trout. Off the pier, common methods for targeting bass, walleye and catfish have been floating leeches and nightcrawlers and use of drop shot rigs for catfish.
- Au Sable River Anglers were seeing success with bass, pike, catfish and the occasional walleye. Various methods were seeing success. Most commonly was the use of casting or trolling body baits. Catfish were caught with the use of drop-shot rigs with either night crawlers or cut bait around dusk.
Tawas Area Boat anglers were catching good numbers of walleye, steelhead and lake trout out beyond buoy #2 in 60 to 90 feet of water off crawlers, crank baits and spoons. Some walleye were also caught south towards the Charity Islands in 20 to 40 feet of water. Pier anglers were catching some smallmouth bass, rock bass and small perch off crawlers, minnows and casting body baits and spinners. There were some small perch and a few large and smallmouth bass caught at Gateway park on the Tawas River off crawlers, body baits and spinners.
Fishing Tip: Is your outdoor first-aid kit ready to go?
Do you carry a first-aid kit with you while you’re out fishing? You never know what can happen, so it never hurts to be prepared. If you’re interested in putting together a kit be sure to include the following:
- Rubber gloves
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Thermometer
- Hemostat
- Compresses
- Adhesive bandages
- Medical tape
- Compression bandage
- Antibiotic ointment
- Hydrocortisone cream
- Antibiotic wipes
- Eye-wash fluid
- Aspirin/ibuprofen
Don’t forget to regularly check your first-aid kit’s inventory and replenish as needed!