Saginaw Bay: It appears that the spring perch runs are just about over for this year. Rivers in the area are coming down and clearing up. Much of the bay remains turbid due to runoff and high winds. Boat anglers are getting walleye off Spoils Island and off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River when vertical jigging, which still seems to be more effective than trolling. A “blue-ice” plastic minnow on a jig head seems to be the best color right now. Up the east side, trollers out of Sunset Bay Marina trying for walleye had limited success. Shore anglers fishing the Quanicassee and Sebewaing Rivers were catching carp, suckers, white bass, bowfin, and anything else that will hit a worm. Perch anglers at Bay Port and Mud Creek were getting a few but had to sort through a lot of small ones to get a couple keepers. A few sunfish were caught from the Thomas Cut when using worms and a couple crappie were caught on minnows.
- Saginaw River: Catfish anglers were getting a few when using shrimp in the lower river at Smith Park.
Au Gres: Those trolling caught walleye off Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres when trolling boy baits. Those surfcasting at night were targeting walleye with crank baits.
- Au Gres River: Did not have much activity near the Singing Bridge.
Good luck and stay safe
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Oscoda: Those fishing from the pier at Au Sable River Park have caught Atlantic salmon, lake trout, and a couple steelhead when casting spoons or drifting spawn and minnows.
- Au Sable River: Atlantic salmon were caught by those drifting spawn or casting spoons as far upstream as the US-23 Bridge. Those targeting steelhead did best when drifting spawn, nymph eggs or black stonefly patterns between the whirlpool access and Foote Dam. White suckers were caught on spawn and worms. Those casting spoons have caught and released a few smallmouth bass near the mouth.
Tawas: Those trolling in the bay were getting a few Atlantic salmon, brown trout and walleye with body baits off planer boards in 10 to 25 feet. Those heading south to Whitestone Point were getting a few more walleye. Pier anglers fishing outside the wall at the state dock caught a couple of Atlantic salmon and walleye while those fishing inside the floating docks took a couple small perch.
- Tawas River: Shore anglers in the lower river caught and released a few bass. A couple Atlantic salmon, several suckers, catfish and carp were also caught.
Fishing Tip: Inland seasons coming at the end of the month – things to think about
April 29 brings the opening of the inland walleye, northern pike and muskellunge seasons in the Lower Peninsula – are you ready to try your hand at northern pike fishing?
Northern pike like to spend their time in the weedy shallows of both the Great Lakes and inland waters. In rivers they can be found around log jams or fallen timber. They are often taken with live bait (such as large minnows) or different kinds of artificial lures.
When fishing for northern pike, many anglers like to use a six to eight-inch wire or steel leader directly in front of hook or lure. Pike have large, deep mouths with extremely sharp teeth. They are known to engulf the entire bait or lure and sever the fishing line with their teeth when it is attached directly to the hook or lure. This leaves the angler watching as the fish swims away with their offering.
Some well-known northern pike waters include Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River and drowned river mouths along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Want to learn even more about northern pike in Michigan? Read the DNR’s detailed informational sheet about this toothy predator.