Saginaw Bay walleye were caught in 17 to 23 feet off Pinconning, 13 to 18 feet off Linwood, and 17 feet near the Old Dumping Ground which is about a mile past Spoils Island. Anglers did well along the south end of the Slot from Quanicassee to the tip of Fish Point in 14 to 17 feet. Virtually all walleye anglers are running crawler harnesses and trolling between 1 and 1.3 mph with bottom bouncers off planer boards. Hot spinner colors continue to be green, chartreuse, anti-freeze, fire-tiger, brass, purple and pink.
- Saginaw River shore anglers fishing the lower river caught freshwater drum, catfish and bass.
- Tittabawassee River bass were caught near the Center Road launch.
- Bad River in St. Charles was producing a good number of pike.
Au Gres Area several limit catches of walleye were taken in 30 to 42 feet between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres. Some were still heading south and fishing in shallow waters off the Saganing and Pinconning Bars.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Oscoda anglers trolling spoons caught trout and salmon including the odd steelhead in 40 to 90 feet. Those trolling crank baits or a crawler harnesses caught walleye in 10 to 20 feet near the mouth of the river and near Au Sable Point. Pier anglers caught smallmouth bass when casting crank baits.
- Au Sable River walleye were caught between the Mill Street Bridge and the Whirlpool Access. Most boat anglers were trolling crank baits or a crawler harness upstream and drifting a crawler harness downstream. Shore anglers at Au Sable River Park caught smallmouth bass, freshwater drum and rock bass on crank baits and crawlers.
Tawas Area boat fishing slowed but a few anglers trolling in 5 to 20 feet around Big Charity Island were still getting a few walleye. A couple chinook were caught off Tawas Point in 60 feet with downriggers. Pier fishing was slow. A couple good size pike were taken on large minnows under a bobber. Smallmouth bass and rock bass were also caught.
- Tawas River most were fishing for bass and carp.
Fishing Tip: Fish for FREE this weekend
Don’t forget that all Michigan residents and non-residents can fish without a license this Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11! Please note all other fishing regulations still apply.
Saturday and Sunday make up the Summer Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s numerous fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will head out to fish for free on their own there are numerous organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well.
Various locations throughout Michigan will host scheduled events, visit the Summer Free Fishing Weekend event chart online to see what’s going on in your area.
For more information about the 2017 Summer Free Fishing Weekend please visit Michigan.gov/freefishing.