Caught on TERMAR Charters
Saginaw Bay most boats caught walleye and a few managed to get limit catches though they were working pretty hard to get them. They did well in the Slot between Quanicassee and Bay Port, along the Bar, and out near the Spark Plug. Also notable are the weed beds off the Callahan Reef and the mouth of the Kawkawlin River which are very good producers of walleye in the early morning. The bite tapers off as the sun gets higher and the fish move back out to deeper water. Boats are fishing north and northeast of Buoys 1 & 2 in 28 to 32 feet with crawler harnesses, crank baits and spoons. Best spinner colors were pink, purple, chartreuse, silver, gold and red. For crank baits, use a crayfish pattern. Those trolling out of Caseville are going northeast of the Charity Islands and up near Oak Point however northeast of the Charities was producing more fish.
- Sanford Lake limit and near-limit catches of black crappie were taken on live minnows in shallow water or pinkie jigs in deeper water. Bass fishing was good and bluegills were hitting on worms. A few pike and a couple walleye were caught.
Au Gres Area had lots of walleye anglers taking fish just about everywhere. Some were heading northeast or Big Charity Island and some were going eight to 10 miles south of Pointe Au Gres. In general, anglers caught walleye everywhere in 20 to 50 feet. Limits were not common but everybody was getting some fish.
- Au Gres River shore anglers were getting some catfish.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Grindstone City anglers fishing around Burnt Cabin Point in about 45 feet have caught some very large walleye and some nice whitefish. They are running lead core and green and black or pearl crank baits. Lake trout have moved deeper as the waters near shore have warmed up. Try depths up to 120 feet.
Oscoda pier fishing picked up for walleye, channel catfish and smallmouth bass now that the freshwater drum slowed. Anglers are using body baits, stick baits, crawlers and minnows. Lake trout were hitting on spoons and spin-glo’s in 90 to 150 feet. Some reported steelhead on the scum lines so fish the surface on calm days.
- Au Sable River anglers reported the hex hatches were happening and trout were being caught. The fish were decent size but low numbers. Anglers were taking nice catches of brown trout on the South Branch.
Tawas Area those trolling south of Tawas Point caught walleye in 50 to 70 feet when using crawler harnesses and spoons. Limit catches were taken further south off Whitestone Point in 30 feet. Pier and river fishing were both slow with only catfish, smallmouth bass and freshwater drum taken.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Family Friendly Fishing Waters
Are you looking for a great place to go fishing that is easy to access, has a high likelihood of catching fish, has various amenities, and is all around family-friendly? Then the Family Friendly Fishing Waters project can help!
Just check out our Family Friendly Fishing Waters website, full of family-friendly fishing locations throughout the state. Just click on a county to get started (new sites were recently added with more than 240 now featured)!
Do you have a location you’d like to see listed? The DNR is always collecting Family Friendly Fishing Waters location submissions. Just visit our online form at www.surveymonkey.com/s/FFFW and fill in the necessary details.
All Family Friendly Fishing Waters submissions and locations are vetted by DNR staff to ensure they fit the necessary requirements. Submission of a water body does not guarantee it will be included on the Family Friendly Fishing Waters website. The DNR will make every effort to include as many water bodies that are submitted as possible.