Saginaw Bay fishing was generally slow around the inner bay as windy conditions kept the water stirred up. Some post-spawn walleye were taken off the mouth of the Saginaw River, but that was about it. Up the east side, a few smallmouth bass were caught and released in Wildfowl Bay. A couple walleye were caught outside the islands. All area rivers and cuts were running high and muddy after the rains last week.
Au Gres Area those trolling were heading to Whitestone Point, Point Lookout or off Pointe Au Gres. They did very well on post-spawn walleye including some large fish. Several limit catches were taken in 15 to 25 feet. Those fishing off the Pine River mouth also did well for walleye.
- Au Gres River steelhead anglers are finding fish well upstream in the East Branch. At the Singing Bridge, those surf casting for walleye at night have done well.
- Rifle River those fishing upstream have caught steelhead.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda anglers trolling spoons and spin-glo’s inside 60 feet caught a few lake trout both up high and down low in the water column. A few chinook salmon were caught when trolling near the river mouth. Pier anglers still-fishing or drifting spawn caught steelhead, Atlantic salmon, suckers and the odd coho and brown trout. Those casting spoons and body baits caught walleye, lake trout, chinook, brown trout or Atlantic salmon.
- Au Sable River water levels were high, and the lower portions were somewhat dirty. Steelhead and the occasional Atlantic salmon have been caught by those drifting and floating beads, spawn, flies or stripping and swinging streamers. The bite was hit-or-miss but a good number of fish were present. A couple chrome Atlantic’s were caught at the mouth and in town with minnows, spawn or body baits. A nice brown trout was caught near Foote Dam. Suckers were increasing in number.
Tawas Area boat anglers trolling and jigging in 15 to 25 feet around the artificial reef caught a few walleye and the odd lake trout. A fair number of boats heading south to fish off Whitestone Point and Alabaster caught a decent number of walleye and lake trout including one lake trout that weighed just over 20 pounds.