Saginaw Bay boat fishing along the west and south end of the bay was not possible due to ice that blew back in, although a few boats did get out by Spoils Island and took some walleye by vertical jigging in the ship channel. Shore anglers fishing the lower Kawkawlin River near Castaways and the cuts at Thomas Road and Kirk Road were taking a few small perch. There was not much happening on the lower Quanicassee River except for the odd crappie or a few perch caught from the Old State Road Bridge. Shore anglers caught a few perch and a couple pike in the lower Sebewaing River. The cut at Bay Port also produced a few perch. At Mud Creek, a few fish were still being caught in the early morning but tapered off quickly. A few walleye were also caught while perch fishing. Anglers are reminded that the inland walleye regulations call for a minimum size limit of 15 inches (not 13) and a daily possession limit of 5 fish (not 8). Shore anglers at Caseville were taking a few perch in the marina by poking a hole through the soft ice and fishing from the docks.
- Saginaw River had a lot of activity at the Rust Avenue ramp and at the Zilwaukee ramp. Boat anglers did well for walleye upstream from the Zilwaukee Bridge in 15 feet when vertical jigging and near the St. Mary’s Health Building in downtown Saginaw. Boats from Rust Avenue were going upstream to the confluence of the Shiawassee and Tittabawassee rivers and did fairly well. Most were vertical jigging with a chartreuse jig tipped with a blue, purple ice or black ice plastic tail. Boats trolling for walleye in the lower river were not doing very well. The bite slowed with the cold temperatures but should pick back up as the weather improves.
- Tittabawassee River fishing was slow but a few were taken while casting jigs or vertical jigging from boats. The water was still a little high and a little dirty but very fishable. The better walleye fishing was centered around Gordonville Road and upstream to the Dow Dam. Shore anglers did pretty well casting jigs with minnows or twister tails in the area from the Gordonville Road access site upstream as far as the train bridge. Boats were working both upstream and downstream. Almost all the walleye caught were smaller males; as the spring run has not yet started.
- Au Gres Area boat anglers were heading out but no walleye were caught.
- Au Gres River shore anglers targeting walleye were not having much luck. A few did manage to catch the odd pike.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Tawas Area boats launching from the lower river were heading down off Alabaster and catching lake trout in 10 to 20 feet when trolling spoons.
- Tawas River shore anglers in the lower river caught a couple walleye or steelhead.
Fishing Tip: Storing your ice fishing equipment for next season
It’s about that time when you’ll need to get ready to store your ice fishing equipment. The key is doing it properly so you’ll be ready to hit the ice next winter! Here is a checklist of things to do:
- If you have an auger, check it for any damage and then dry all the blades before storing it. You may want to consult your power auger’s manual to know how to appropriately handle any leftover gas and how to protect the engine.
- Remove the batteries from any of your electronics to prevent any potential damage if they leak.
- Make sure your portable shelter is completely clean and dry before storing. You may want to put some moth balls in it or hang it to keep pests at bay.
- Take a full inventory of your rods, reels and tackle to see what you might need/want to purchase next year. Also remove all bait or line from your hooks and lures for storage and make sure everything is dry.
By the time everything is properly stored you’ll be itching to get out on your favorite stream, river or lake for some spring fishing!