Strong winds have made fishing much more difficult especially for those taking boats out on Saginaw Bay. Water temperatures were unstable making it hard to find a thermocline. Inland, the fish moved into shallower waters with the onset of cooler temperatures. Reports were slim this week as few anglers have been out because of the weather.
Saginaw Bay some walleye were caught northeast of Linwood in 22 to 24 feet when using harnesses. Perch were caught west of the Spark Plug in 18 to 25 feet and around sailboat buoys A and H. A few perch were taken east of Spoils Island. The fish were running eight to 12 inches but anglers will still have to do some sorting. Perch fishing picked up off Quanicassee in eight to 14 feet straight off the end of the channel. Catch rates varied anywhere from 15 to 25 fish per boat. Most of the keepers were seven to eight inches but a few bigger fish were also taken. A few walleye were caught in the Slot and off the Bar when trolling.
- Saginaw River is producing mostly freshwater drum or catfish but some caught the occasional smallmouth bass. They were hitting on crawlers.
- Sanford Lake had another slow week. A handful of bluegills and crappie were taken on pinkie jigs or white jig heads with white twister tails in nine to 15 feet along the deep edge of the weed beds. A few bass were taken on soft plastics. Very little walleye or pike action to report.
Au Gres Area walleye fishing was slow but a few anglers heading down and fishing the Pinconning and Saganing Bars caught some perch in 15 feet. A couple walleye were caught off the end of the shipping channel.
- Au Gres River was producing a few good catches of channel cats.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Grindstone City had good fishing with lake trout and walleye caught on spoons in 120 to 130 feet straight north of the harbor.
Oscoda lake trout were scarce as anglers had a hard time finding them. Last reports were 80 to 120 feet from top to bottom so run a wide spread of bait throughout the water column. By doing so, you may also pick up a Chinook, steelhead or Atlantic salmon.
- Au Sable River had reports of walleye up to the Rea Road launch. For easier access try the new finger piers directly below the dam; this area should be holding some fish as well.
Port Austin had good lake trout fishing with the occasional steelhead or coho and a fair number of walleye taken on spin-n-glows in 95 to 115 feet. Walleye anglers trolling crawler harnesses in shallow waters 20 to 40 feet deep were not getting any walleye but they did catch some smallmouth bass.
Tawas Area those trolling were getting walleye on the bottom in 70 to 90 feet. They are using in-line weights to get the bait down. Walleye were also caught in 30 to 40 feet off Tawas Point. Pier anglers are catching very small perch and the odd smallmouth.
Weekly Fishing Tip: It’s summer – so target the sunfish!
It’s still prime time to target all species of sunfish, why not try one of these simple techniques to reel some in?
Bobber Fishing
Use the rod/reel of your choice and rig it with a bobber and a hook or a jig and some live bait. Various worms, crickets, grubs or leeches are all good choices. Keep your hooks small and jigs between 1/32 and 1/16 ounces.
Trolling
If you’ve got a boat consider this technique in the morning or evening. Bait could include small spinner rigs with live bait or small jigs.
Fly Fishing
If you’re a fly angler use a small fly that’s in tune with whatever insect(s) sunfish seem to be gobbling up at the moment.