Saginaw Bay: Ice conditions were marginal at best. Ice along the shoreline is expected to deteriorate with the warm weather this week. While it’s true that most perch fishing takes place in two to three feet of water, anglers still risk getting wet. Perch anglers were out fishing off Palmer Road. The action was not red-hot but most were getting a few keepers. Off Linwood, perch were caught in the marina basin and out in front of the marina. Those casting tube jigs into the open water around the bubblers seem to catch more fish than the ice anglers. Near Quanicassee, a lot of anglers were fishing at Vanderbilt Park. While the bite was good, that many people out fishing may have spooked the fish as not many were caught.
Ice conditions up the east side of the bay were questionable. The area off Sebewaing is so shallow that fish are not attracted to it at this time. Most fishing activity was inside the marina basins at Sebewaing, Bay Port and Caseville where a few perch were taken.
Saginaw River: An ice breaker came up into the lower Saginaw River last Friday and broke up all the ice as far upstream as the Wirt Stone Dock, so anglers fishing the river mouth are out of business until it freezes up again.
Tittabawassee River: The river and boat ramp are ice free at Gordonville Road, and as far south as Tittabawassee Road, but no boat anglers were fishing.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Au Gres River: Has ice fishing in the lower river. Anglers are getting a few perch and sublegal walleye.
Au Sable River: The ramps are usable. Steelhead were caught from Foote Dam all the way down to Oscoda and the mouth. Boat anglers are back drifting plugs or casting spawn.
Tawas: Anglers are getting some perch out of Jerry’s Marina basin as well as off Jerry’s in 10 to 15 feet of water. Walleye anglers are inching out to 15 to 17 feet and getting a few. No pike spearing yet.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Bigger baits may attract bigger fish.
What might seem like a common sense idea is not always used by anglers during winter fishing. What idea is that? Using bigger baits to attract bigger fish through the ice!
While many argue fish are lethargic and unmotivated during the colder months and require a smaller bait to encourage them to bite, as a consequence you’ll often end up with very small fish on the end of your line.
By increasing the size of your bait – not significantly, just by a couple of sizes – you’ll encourage bigger fish to come in for a closer look while scaring off smaller fish.