Saginaw Bay Area had excellent walleye fishing and limit catches were the rule. Anglers did very well off Pinconning, Linwood, the Bay City State Park, off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River, north and east of Spoils Island, the Callahan Reef off Finn Road, around both Spark Plugs and in the Slot between Quanicassee and North Island. Depths range from five to 30 feet deep. As a rule of thumb, the shallows are best in the early morning and deeper water later in the day. Crawler harnesses were the go-to bait, with spinner colors of purple, white, gold, silver, or chartreuse. Those trolling deeper caught walleye on spoons or crank baits. Hot colors for crank baits were yellow perch and a goby pattern.
Au Gres had most of the walleye action with a lot of boats fishing between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres but some were running eight to 10 miles south of Pointe Au Gres and fishing in 10 to 25 feet off the mouth of the Pine River.
- Au Gres River catfish anglers are doing well in the lower river.
Tittabawassee River is still producing decent catches of walleye near Mapleton. A few bass and pike were also caught.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Oscoda boats that have made it out on the big lake had good success for lake trout steelhead and the occasional salmon. Lake trout are in 100 feet but steelhead are closer to 60 and 80 feet. Spoons and body baits off down riggers, lead core, copper line and planer boards are all working well.
- Au Sable River steelhead continue to run up the river and can be found on the beds. The Boy Scout Camp and High Banks had the most activity. Spawn, fly’s and small spinners are producing the most fish. Pier anglers caught a mix of steelhead, Atlantic and walleye throughout the day and evening.
Port Austin walleye have been caught off the breakwall at night.
Tawas pier fishing has slowed as we move into summer. Not much is happening on the inside but walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish have been caught at night on the outside of the wall. Those trolling from the tip of Tawas Point and Buoy #2 caught a few walleye in 15 to 30 feet.