Saginaw Bay walleye fishing remains good but it is slowing down. Walleye show signs of moving to deeper water as do the lake trout as the weather warms up. Good walleye action five miles north of Buoys 1 & 2, northwest of the Spark Plug (Buoys 11 & 12) in 28 feet, and near the Sailboat Buoys G, A, and B. Near the mouth of the Kawkawlin River, the early morning bite was best over the weed beds in 12 to 14 feet when trolling un-weighted or very light crawler harnesses. The trick is to keep them above the weeds. They are still taking walleye off the Callahan Reef, Finn Road, along the Slot and off the Bar when using crawler harnesses, crank baits and spoons. Best spinner colors were purple, pink, chartreuse and brass. The deeper areas of Wildfowl Bay were producing some walleye. Off Caseville, most boats are either fishing north of Big Charity or off Oak Point. At Port Austin, walleye anglers headed west toward Hat Reef in 35 to 38 feet or northwest of Big Charity in 40 to 60 feet.
- Sanford Lake has excellent crappie fishing on small pink jigs with a white twister-tail or minnow. Bluegills and sunfish were also caught. Pike fishing picked up and the old reliable red and white Daredevle spoon worked best. Bass fishing was good.
Au Gres Area of Saginaw Bay walleye fishing was still good and the port was busy. Many were going over to the Charity Islands or fishing in 30 to 45 feet between Point Lookout and Pointe Au Gres. A few were heading south and fishing north of Buoys 1 & 2 which has been a universal hot spot for the past couple weeks. Limit catches have been common and pretty much everyone is getting some fish.
- Au Gres River shore anglers caught a few catfish, freshwater drum and bass.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Grindstone City walleye, bass and whitefish were caught in 40 to 48 feet when trolling crank baits on six colors of lead core off Burnt Cabin Point. Fire-tiger and crayfish (anything with orange on it) were the best colors. Charters out of Grindstone were getting lake trout in 120 to 130 feet straight north of the harbor.
Oscoda pier fishing has been up and down. Walleye have been caught throughout the night but seem to shut down before sun up. Catfish are also being caught throughout the night and into early morning on crawlers and leeches. Look upriver for walleye as some were reported at Foote Dam. Lake trout were scarce. The fish that were caught were in 70 to 150 feet of water and suspended. Spread your baits throughout the water column.
Tawas Area those trolling for walleye did very well in 50 feet out past Tawas Point and off Whitestone Point in 40 to 45 feet. Some limit catches were reported. Pier fishing was slow with only a few catfish or freshwater drum caught.
- Tawas River shore anglers in the lower river were catching the odd catfish, freshwater drum or pike.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Fishing for channel cats in the summertime
These warm months can be the perfect time to target channel catfish throughout Michigan. Found nearly statewide, channel cats inhabit both lakes and streams.
This species is typically pursued by anglers using live, dead or cut bait, though anglers have long used all manner of bait — cheese, shrimp, liver, spawn — or commercially prepared blood or scent baits. Though occasionally taken on artificial lures by anglers pursuing other species, channel cats are traditionally fished with bait presented on the bottom.
A good tip to remember is channel catfish will fight once they’re hooked. Consider using at least 12-pound test to ensure your line is tough enough to handle their strength.