Saginaw Bay: Bay City Area walleye were caught in seven feet off Pinconning, 14 to 17 feet around the G Buoy, 20 feet off Linwood and eight to 10 feet on the Callahan Reef. On the east side, the Slot was producing a good number of fish in 16 feet. Crawler harnesses were definitely out-fishing crankbaits. Channel cat fishing was good off Sebewaing in five feet. Carp are in the shallows all over the south end and the east side where those bowfishing have done extremely well.
Saginaw River walleye were caught in the lower river. The white bass are done spawning but freshwater drum have moved in as they prepare to spawn.
Tittabawassee River fishing was pretty much concentrated within an easy run of the Center Road launch site in Saginaw Township. White bass were still being caught on jigs, crankbaits and live minnows. Upstream of Freeland, catch-and-release fishing for smallmouth bass was very good, and a few walleye were caught. The spring walleye fishery is pretty much over.
Saginaw Bay: Au Gres Area had a lot of boats when the weather permitted and a good number of walleye were caught but no “boat limits” were reported. The fish were scattered in anywhere from 18 to 35 feet of water. Methods varied, but the best pattern is moving from crankbaits to crawler harnesses. A couple boats went bass fishing around the Charity Islands. They caught and released as many as 50 good-sized bass per angler! Tube-baits were the ticket.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Oscoda walleye are starting to come in and the numbers are increasing. Most anglers are targeting them from the pier while casting body baits or drifting worms and leeches.
Au Sable River steelhead were still coming up into the river. Anglers are fishing the Foot Dam and High Banks area with spawn, spoons, fly’s and spinner baits. Trout fishing on the South Branch has picked up.
Tawas Area pier anglers caught walleye at night. It appears the Atlantic salmon may have moved offshore. Boat anglers weren’t doing that great in Tawas Bay so many were heading south and catching walleye near Alabaster.
Tawas River is producing a few pike, drum, and smallmouth bass.