Saginaw Bay: Walleye fishing remains slow, possibly due to cold water temperatures and the stained water. Boat anglers fishing 16 to 18 feet off Linwood managed to catch a couple fish but still had trouble finding clear water. Stained water was still an issue off Spoils Island but anglers were still doing better here when fishing close to the rocks. Vertical jigging was better than trolling. Most are using a “blue ice” jig tipped with a minnow and fishing within three feet of the rocks. The Finn Road launch ramp was plugged with phragmites (wetland grass) and only usable by airboat at the moment. Boat anglers were practicing catch and release bass fishing off Sebewaing and Caseville. Walleye catches were slim to none. Shore anglers at Bay Port caught bullhead, small perch and small bass. Boats have just started launching from Port Austin, and have taken a couple of lake trout and walleye.
- Saginaw River: Catfish, freshwater drum and white bass were caught on minnows and shrimp at Smith Park in Essexville.
Au Gres Area: Had lots of fishing activity. Most boats were fishing around Whitestone Point, Point Lookout, and Pointe Au Gres but most only landed the average of one or two walleye. Those trolling right off the mouth of the Au Gres River caught a few walleyes and at least one steelhead.
- Au Gres River: At the Singing Bridge, those surf-casting off the mouth of Whitney Drain were getting a few walleye when casting body baits at night. Fishing in Whitney Drain itself is kind of slow due to the high muddy water.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Oscoda: Pier anglers caught lake trout, Atlantic salmon, and walleye when casting spoons and crank baits. Walleye were also caught by those jigging from the pier. Boats trolling spoons and body baits off the mouth of the river and Au Sable Point caught walleye, lake trout, Atlantic salmon and the odd Chinook in 10 to 20 feet.
- Au Sable River: Those fishing below the US-23 Bridge caught smallmouth bass when jigging twister tails and casting crank baits. Steelhead and white suckers were caught by those drifting spawn, beads and egg flies between the Whirlpool Access site and Foote Dam.
Tawas Area: Boats trolling for walleye were heading south off Alabaster, off the mouth of Whitney Drain, and down as far as Whitestone Point. They have caught walleye and a few lake trout on body baits in 10 to 20 feet. Pier anglers caught carp, a few walleye, pike, a couple of Atlantics and brown trout as well as smallmouth bass.
Fishing Tip: Getting ready for Michigan’s trout season opener
Michigan’s general trout season opener will be here this weekend! Are you ready to hit the water for some great fishing this spring? Check out the list below for some potential places to visit.
Northern Lower Peninsula
Most everyone is familiar with the “Holy Waters” of the Au Sable, Manistee and Pigeon rivers, but the Sturgeon River also offers great fishing. For lakes, there are several in Montmorency County that are great to try.
Southwest Lower Peninsula
The St. Joseph River proves to be a great destination, along with the Dowagiac Creek and River. Many tributaries to the Grand River also support populations of brown trout.
Upper Peninsula
Try the lakes in Iron, Marquette, Alger, Luce and Schoolcraft counties or the Fox River system near Seney.
- Don’t forget to brush up on all the rules and regulations related to inland trout and salmon fishing before you head out, available in the 2016-2017 Michigan Fishing Guide.