Saginaw Bay ice anglers targeting perch off the park inside Pinconning Bay did not catch anything. A few were taken off Linwood in five to six feet which was as far as the ice went out. There was a bigger sheet of ice hanging on off the Bay City State Park where anglers were heading out, but the bite was slow. There was fishable ice off Vanderbilt Park near Quanicassee. Anglers were taking mainly perch but a few walleye were also found in seven feet. A couple limit catches of perch were taken however the average catch was 10 to 12 per angler. Some of the fish were good size. On the east side, large piles of ice 20 to 30 feet high put an end to fishing from Thomas Road to Sebewaing. A couple anglers tried at Geiger Road but reported some bad ice that was hard to see because of snow. At Caseville, anglers caught a couple lake trout and burbot. The water off the Pigeon River and Mud Creek was still muddy.
Saginaw River there was open water in the channel at Wickes Park. A few anglers were out on the turn basin near Ojibway Island, but they did not catch much.
Anglers were scattered from First Street to Zilwaukee and on down to Cass Avenue, fishing away from the main channel, but nobody did very well as the water was still a bit muddy. There was open water near the Boys & Girls Club at the south end of Bay City. A couple eater-size walleye were caught in 18 feet downstream of the U.S.S Edson below the Independence Bridge, but from there down to the mouth fishing was slow. Anglers are warned to stay away from the main channel, as the ice out there was questionable.
Tittabawassee River had a few shore anglers from the Caldwell ramp upstream along the bank, but they did not catch much. A couple walleye were caught by those ice fishing off Center Road.
Au Gres Area fishing was generally slow with a few perch taken. Fish shanties south of the break-wall had been removed. Fishing off Booth Road also slowed with just a few perch and whitefish taken. Down at the Pine River/Palmer Road area, a few perch were taken but the average catch was maybe 10 per angler.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Tawas Area there was still some ice up in the northern part of Tawas Bay and anglers fishing out of Jerry’s Marina near the artificial reef got a few walleye and lake trout in 20 to 25 feet. A couple pike were speared closer to shore. Pike spearing season closes on March 15.
Fishing Tip: Understanding fish posture to help with ice fishing success
Fish often maintain one of two postures – one where they are ready to strike (fins up and backs arched) or one where they are focused on traveling (fins tucked in). Understanding these postures can aid in your fishing success, particularly through the ice.
The first step when using fish posture to impact your ice fishing techniques is to have appropriate equipment, such as sonar. This tool allows you to visualize the posture and react effectively.
Secondly, pay attention to time periods of aggressive posture. Most likely you will see it exhibited around sunrise and sunset – plan your trips accordingly.
Michigan offers some of the best fishing throughout the year. Plan your next outing by visiting Michigan.gov/Fishing.