Saginaw Bay has had excellent walleye fishing at a variety of locations including 22 feet off Pinconning, 20 feet off Linwood with purple spoons, 20 feet northwest of the Dumping Grounds, off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River, the Callahan Reef and in the Slot between Quanicassee and Bay Port. Some are starting to cross the Bar from Sebewaing and fish deeper water near the shipping channel. Most people are using crawler harnesses with purple, orange, pink or fire-tiger blades. Some were also doing well with spoons or crank baits. The good news, everyone was getting some fish.
Saginaw River walleye were still being caught in the lower river when trolling crank baits.
Au Gres continues to have high fishing pressure. Anglers have caught lots of walleye between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres or two to three miles south of Pointe Au Gres. Some of the bigger walleye were caught north of the Charity Islands in 50 to 60 feet. Many are taking limit catches. A few bass anglers were heading out to the Charity Islands to fish for smallmouth.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Grindstone City A few walleye are starting to show up here and off Lighthouse Park.
Oscoda salmon and lake trout are being caught in 60 to 120 feet. Spoons, body baits and cut bait are all producing. Pier anglers are picking up some channel cats off the end of the pier in the late evening.
- Au Sable River steelhead are still making their way up in good numbers and can be found on the beds. Walleye are being caught in the early morning or late evening. Try crawlers, leeches or body baits.
Tawas pier fishing is in ‘summer mode’ with an assortment of largemouth and smallmouth bass, rock bass and carp being caught. It might still be possible to catch a walleye outside the walleye at night. Most boats were still heading to Au Gres.
- Tawas River is producing some catfish, smallmouth bass and freshwater drum for shore anglers fishing near the mouth.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Fly season is quickly approaching
Although much of what a trout feeds on throughout the year is under the water’s surface, June is prime time for dry-fly fishing for stream trout.
Many aquatic insects, like mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies found in trout streams emerge during June making it an exciting time to fish with “dry” flies (those that float on the surface of the water). Check with your local tackle shop or fly shop to see what might be hatching in your area.
Many of the mayfly hatches occur after sunset, so be sure to be familiar with the river you are fishing, make sure your headlamp/flashlight is working, and have fun!