Saginaw Bay perch fishing was spotty in the cuts near Palmer Road. Walleye were caught by those trolling crank baits in 16 to 18 feet off Linwood and off the mouth of the Saginaw River. Those jigging minnows off the mouth also caught fish. Area rivers are finally receding and clearing up however perch fishing in the Quanicassee, Sebewaing, and Pigeon was spotty and a lot of the fish were small. Perch fishing is usually best between dawn and 11 a.m. Suckers can also be found.
Saginaw River was back in its banks for the most part. No doubt a fair number of fish chose to ride the flooding back to Saginaw Bay when they were done spawning but there should still be enough fish for a good opener on Saturday. Spawning occurred about two weeks later than normal this year so there was two weeks less for the fish to drop back to the bay. Barring another major rain event, the walleye opener should be a good one.
Tittabawassee River water levels are down. The walleye opener should be good.
Au Gres boat anglers trolling rapalas in 10 to 15 feet off the mouth of the river were catching good numbers of walleye including some limit catches.
Au Gres River remains muddy so perch and sucker fishing were slow. On the East Branch, water near the Singing Bridge was finally clearing up but catch rates were still slow. Steelhead were caught further up between Au Gres and M-55.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Au Sable River water levels were almost back to normal. Steelhead have been caught between the mouth and Foote Dam. Anglers are bottom bouncing, drifting or floating a mix of baits including flys, wax worms, spawn, spoons and small spinners. Fish were also caught in Van Etten Creek.
Tawas did not have much in the way of boat action because there is still a lot of ice floating around the piers and the docks are not in yet. Those casting off the wall caught the occasional steelhead or walleye.
Tawas River is producing a good number of suckers and some steelhead. Those wading or casting off the mouth at night have caught walleye.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Want to find fish? Use sonar!
Avid anglers are constantly looking for tips and tricks to help them have more successful fishing trips. Many turn to sonar technology to achieve this goal.
Although a bit of an investment (units start at $100 and go up), sonar products offer a variety of benefits on the water. Most units can provide anglers with readings on temperature, vegetation and structure in the water, type of bottom below you, fish in the area, depth, current speed of the vessel, GPS navigation, and waypoints for future trips. Some even allow you the opportunity to purchase nautical charts.