Saginaw Bay anglers seem to be targeting more perch than walleye. Fish were caught off Linwood near Sailboat Buoys G, H, F and S, the old shipping channel and out near the Spark Plug (Buoys 11 & 12). A fair to good number of fish ranging nine to 10 inches were caught. Any walleye fishing was done in deep water northeast of Buoys 1 & 2 at the very end of the shipping channel. Catfish were caught at the Hot Ponds. Fishing up the east side was slow. Walleye boats were going all over. Try 10 to 12 feet between the islands and the deep part of the Slot north of Sebewaing. Fish over or through the weeds. Perch fishing on the east side was spotty with most heading out to the shipping channel. Pier and river fishing for the entire area is summer slow with only a few catfish, carp, freshwater drum and bass caught.
- Au Gres Area walleye fishing slowed but a few were taken in 30 to 40 feet near the Gravelly Shoals, north of Big Charity Island and north off Whitestone Point. Those fishing off Eagle Bay Marina found walleye in 20 to 30 feet. Some perch were taken outside of the weed beds in 15 to 20 feet between the Saganing and Pinconning Bars.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda: Steelhead, Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and a few Chinook salmon were taken on spoons, meat rigs, and spin-glo’s 50 to 75 feet down in 85 to 130 feet around the drop-off and the “hump” east of the river mouth and out to 180 feet. Most of the lake trout however were taken near the bottom. Walleye were suspended in the top 40 of 60 to 120 feet. Pier anglers got channel cats, smallmouth, rock bass, or the odd walleye.
- Au Sable River a couple walleye was caught by those casting jigs with twister tails or when still fishing with crawlers at night in the lower river. Channel cats, smallmouth, rock bass, bluegills and even a couple perch were also caught. Anglers on the Type 4 waters between the Mio Dam and the Mio power lines caught a few small walleye and brown trout on spinners or when drifting a crawler harness. The white mayfly and white caddis hatches have begun with a few good evenings of heavy activity between the Mio and Alcona Dams. Water temperatures from Parmalee Bridge to below Mio were hovering in the high 60s and low 70s.
Tawas Area walleye fishing in deep water was good off Tawas Bay with some limits taken fin 35 to 50 feet down near the Bell Buoy which is about 10 ½ miles south of Tawas Bay and straight east of Whitestone Point. Most fish were taken on a crawler harness. Walleye and steelhead were taken on spoons halfway down in 70 to 80 feet. A few walleye were found around the weed beds inside Tawas Bay near Buoys 4 & 6.
Fishing Tip: Catching bass on top of the water
Many anglers would agree there’s an excitement that comes when you’re 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 that have a few feet of water over them, such as weedbeds, logs, big rocks, etc. 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 are designed to resemble the favorite foods of bass, such as frogs.
Also, top water fishing for bass works best in low-light conditions such as early in the morning or late in the evening.
For more information on fishing for bass in Michigan, visit their page on the DNR’s website.