Saginaw Bay has ice along the west side and in select areas on the east side. Walleye fishing was pretty good from Linwood to White’s Beach. A few perch were caught at multiple sites including near shore at Pinconning, in the marina at Linwood, the Quanicassee River, and the Sunset Bay Marina. Ice on the east side of the bay was still questionable. Many stayed close to shore or fished inside the marina basins.
At Sebewaing, ice fishing was confined inside the Municipal Marina where anglers are getting a few perch or spearing the odd pike. Anglers are venturing out from Geiger Road. Wildfowl Bay had a lot of fishing off the Mud Creek access site where anglers caught a few walleye and perch or speared the occasional pike. At Caseville, a couple lake trout were taken in the lower river and along the breakwall however the ice is not uniform so use extreme caution.
Saginaw River had lots of fishing activity from Saginaw to the mouth. The walleye bite was good until the cold snap. Smaller fish were caught further up river but the keepers were caught near Bay City. Hot spots were the mouth of the river, off the Karn-Weadok Plant, near the Cement Plant at Essexville, near the Independence Bridge, downstream of the Liberty Bridge off the Omni Source salvage yard, and across from Veteran’s Park. Fishing was slower from the Cass Avenue boat launch to Saginaw. A lot of fish were measured and released for each keeper taken. Some decent perch were caught in the Yacht Club basin. Anglers are reminded to still use caution as ice thickness on the river can vary. There was no fishing around the Zilwaukee Bridge because of ice conditions.
Tittabawassee River had no fishing activity. Ice conditions were poor and there was still open water.
Au Gres Area a lot of anglers were out fishing down near Palmer Road and the Pine River area. They did catch a few perch and the odd walleye in three to six feet.
Au Gres River those fishing the lower river are getting a few perch and sub-legal walleye. On the East Branch, there was no activity at the Singing Bridge due to bad ice conditions.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Port Austin had a couple ice shanties in the harbor but no reports yet.
Tawas Area walleye anglers were doing well in 15 feet off Jerry’s Marina with most taking at least a couple fish. A few incidental brown trout or pike were also caught. Not many perch anglers and there was little activity inside the harbor as anglers reported few minnows and fewer perch. No activity on the Tawas River.