Saginaw Bay Catch rates were a bit slow but a few walleye were caught in 18 feet of water off Linwood and 12 to 14 feet near the Pinconning Bar. Anglers have switched from body baits to crawler harnesses on bottom bouncers. A couple fish were taken off Jones Road and Finn Road. Walleye were taken in the lower Slot from Quanicassee north to Sunset Bay. Average catch were two to three fish per boat. The skid pier is now in at Quanicassee. Not much going on from Sebewaing to Bay Port. At Caseville, rumor has it some walleye were caught off the wall at night.
Saginaw River: Was still producing some walleye in the lower river. Anglers were trolling body baits near the Power Plants.
Tittabawassee River: Walleye were still being caught from Imerman Park downstream to Center Road and the confluence with the Saginaw River. The fish are clearly slipping back down the river but a fair number of fish remain. Smallmouth bass action has picked up. Anglers are catching and releasing lots of white bass because Community Health recommends not eating white bass from Saginaw Bay or its tributaries.
Quanicassee River: Catfish were just starting to bite even though it is a bit early yet.
Au Gres: Walleye were caught by those trolling crawler harnesses in 15 to 30 feet of water off the mouth of the river.
Au Gres River: Some walleye were caught by those surfcasting with body baits near the Singing Bridge. Most were fishing at night.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Oscoda: Pier anglers are catching walleye in the early morning or late evening. Try crawlers, leeches, small spoons or body baits.
Au Sable River: Steelhead are on the beds between the mouth and the dam. High Banks has had the most angler activity, and produced the most catches. Fish can be found throughout the river so move around if one location becomes too crowded. Flies seem to work best but spawn and wax worms have also taken fish. Walleye are moving in and out of the river.
Grindstone City: Had shallow water.
Tawas: Pier fishing was slow with the occasional bass, pike, or walleye caught. Boat anglers were getting a few walleye over near the artificial reef when vertical jigging or trolling body baits.
Tawas River: Shore anglers caught the odd bass or walleye in the lower river.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Using stick/body baits when fishing for trout
Trout season is well under way with many anglers using dry flies and spinners. But what if you’re interested in waging battle with the largest trout in the river? Have you considered using stickbaits or body baits?
Many avid trout anglers swear by using these types of lures if you’re looking to catch big stream trout. Stickbaits and body baits mimic the minnows and small fish many trout species love to eat.
Keep in mind you won’t catch large quantities of trout when you’re using this type of bait, but the ones you do find will be high quality and worth the effort. Consider fishing with lures you’d normally use when targeting bass and/or northern pike and stick with natural colors for the best chance of success.