Saginaw Bay Area there is too much ice for shore fishing but not enough for ice fishing. There is a layer of “shove ice or blow ice” that blew in along the shoreline around the entire bay and extends out anywhere from 200 to 400 yards. Fishing is pretty much confined to sitting on docks in marina basins and perch fishing through the holes in the ice. Marina basins that anglers might want to try include Eagle Bay up near Standish, Gambil’s Landing near Pinconning, Linwood, Sunset Bay near Unionville, Sebewaing City Marina on the Sebewaing River, Bay Shore near Bay Port and the basins off the Pigeon River in Caseville.
Kawkawlin River was iced over.
Saginaw River had boat anglers targeting walleye just downstream from the Independence Bridge however the river and the launches were icing up. Marina basins and boat launches at most locations on the river were not useable. The only exception was the Zilwaukee ramp and the McGillvary Street ramp which is just downstream of the Independence Bridge. Walleye anglers were fishing around the U.S.S. Edson however boat anglers need to be vigilant and watch for large sheets of ice that that could keep them from moving freely around the river. Anyone taking to a boat in these conditions needs to be sure the motor is running properly, wear lots of warm clothes, a life jacket, and be sure to have a cell phone in case they need to call for help.
Tittabawassee River was filled with floating ice. The boat ramps at Gordonville Road and Center Road are iced in and not use-able.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda Area
Au Sable River anglers fishing below Foote Dam need to be aware that water flows are fluctuating at this time because of ice damming issues above Alcona. Anglers should check the USGS river flow gauges for the most up-to-date conditions. Severe cold causes the river above the Alcona Impoundment to turn to slush, creates anchor ice, and forms ice dams that create large changes in downstream flows. Thus, conditions may be very difficult for fishing or floating below Foote Dam. Some steelhead and a few perch have been caught in the area.