Weekly Saginaw Bay Fishing Tip: Try Tawas for Lake Whitefish
Always popular with commercial anglers, lake whitefish have become increasingly popular for recreational anglers throughout Michigan as well. Several Great Lakes piers offer prime spots to target them in late fall, including Tawas in Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron!
The whitefish fishing at Tawas is usually done with long rods mounted with spinning reels, light line and bait that consists of a single salmon egg or a wiggler on a small hook fished under a bobber (set the bait within a few inches of the bottom). This species has a soft mouth so you have to be careful, a long-handled landing net is essential for success. Most anglers at Tawas set up on the outside of the wall, as the whitefish like to spawn along the rocks at the base of the wall. Early mornings are best, and the fish seem to bite better if there’s just a little chop on the water.
Saginaw Bay: The walleye are moving in closer to shore so those trolling or drifting will want to fish shallow or near the mouth of the rivers especially at night.
Saginaw River: Walleye are being caught near Bay City. Some are fishing up near the confluence of the Tittabawassee and the Shiawassee River. Shore anglers caught perch in the lower river.
Tittabawassee River: Has walleye however boat anglers will need to watch for low water levels.
Kawkawlin River: Has walleye. Anglers may have to put in some time but they should catch some fish.
Harbor Beach: Still has one dock in for those that may want to fish for walleye or brown trout behind the Edison Plant.