Saginaw Bay walleye were coming from 20 feet off Linwood and Buoys G, A, and B and the pencil buoys. Walleye were caught around Spoils Island in the early morning before sunrise and off the Callahan Reef when heading out from the river mouth, Finn Road or Quanicassee. The hot spinners were purple, pink, chartreuse, anti-freeze, copper, brass and chrome. Those launching at Sunset Bay Marina and off Sebewaing found walleye. The bite was a bit slower at Bay Port but a few fish were still taken in eight to 10 feet in Wildfowl Bay.
Saginaw River shore anglers in the lower river were catching a few smallmouth bass, walleye, perch, freshwater drum and catfish off Smith Park when using minnows and crawlers. Those trolling caught some walleye in 12 to 14 feet near the Coast Guard Station.
Shiawassee River was producing rock bass and suckers throughout.
Au Gres Area most of the boat anglers were coming back with one or two fish but some did much better. Walleye were caught in 25 to 30 feet off the Rifle Bar and between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres in various depths. Further south, boats launching at Eagle Bay Marina did well for walleye on the right day.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Oscoda: Pier fishing has been hit-or-miss over the last week. Those targeting walleye had limited success. Those trolling have caught lake trout and the occasional steelhead in 60 to 100 feet with spoons, cut bait or spin-glo’s. Fish were marked from top to bottom.
Au Sable River: Boats drifting crawlers have caught some walleye. Some were casting body baits and stick baits. Trout have been caught in all branches especially by those fly fishing.
Port Austin to Grindstone City: Smallmouth bass fishing remains good from Port Austin to Eagle Bay and Grindstone City. Live leeches and various plastics worked best. A few walleye were taken in 25 feet off Grindstone City. Lake trout, steelhead, coho and pink salmon were scattered in 50 to 100 feet. Most were fishing the bottom 10 feet. Those looking for bigger fish were heading out to 135 feet.
Tawas: Those trolling crawler harnesses in 35 feet off Tawas Point and Au Sable Point took a few walleye. A few fish were also taken off Alabaster. Those vertical jigging off the mouth of the Tawas River took a few walleye as well. Pier fishing was slow with only a couple pike and freshwater drum taken.
Tawas River: Shore anglers were getting a few smallmouth bass in the lower river.
Fishing Tip: Visit the DNR’s YouTube channel for useful fishing videos
Do you learn better by seeing how something’s done? Then check out the DNR’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/MichiganDNR for a variety of videos to help you build your fishing skills!
There you’ll find videos that teach you various aspects of fishing – including how to bait and set the hook, reel in a fish, choose the right equipment when targeting panfish, clean and care for your catch, tie a fisherman’s know and properly catch-and-release a fish. All of this videos are available in the department’s “How To” playlist.
Be sure to bookmark our channel as new videos will be added to it this summer! Watching these short, informative videos can be perfect for those who are new to the sport or those who are looking to enhance their skills. Enjoy!