Saginaw Bay, Bay City Area perch were taken along the shipping channel just north of Spoils Island by the few boats that ventured out there. Perch were caught in the Bay Harbor Marina and Bay Aggregate Cuts however the action was not red hot and anglers had to sort out the small ones. Perch fishing from Quanicassee to Caseville was slow and spotty. Almost no boats were out and shore anglers were again sorting through the small ones to find a few keepers. A couple small crappie and a pike were caught in the marina at Sebewaing.
- Saginaw River walleye fishing in the lower river was very good from Bay City down to the mouth. Most boats were vertical jigging with minnows. Further upstream in Saginaw, they’re also getting some walleyes, but the bite was not as hot as it was in Bay City.
Au Gres Area fishing was slow with almost no boats getting out. Down at Eagle Bay Marina (Standish) which is at the end of Sagatoo Road, a fair number of perch were caught inside the marina basin.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Grindstone City was producing some walleye at the mouth of the channel. Try spoons or rapalas at night.
Oscoda: Au Sable River walleye were still coming into the river and catch rates were consistent over the last week. Most are casting blue and silver, fire-tiger or black body baits. Walleye were hitting on spoons intended for salmon and steelhead. Only a few salmon are up in the river and they were in pretty bad shape. Some steelhead were hitting on spawn, flies and spinners between the mouth and the dam. Pier anglers were still-fishing with spawn.
Port Austin walleye were hitting at night at the mouth of Bird Creek and at the end of the north wall.
Tawas Area walleye continue to be caught at night off the pier, near the State Police Post and out of the Tawas River. A few limit catches were taken which is some good fishing for pier and shore anglers. Perch fishing off the pier was slow.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Getting too cold to catch muskellunge? Never!
Everyone knows muskellunge are a difficult species to catch, but as the temperatures cool does it get even harder to find them? Not so according to some anglers!
In the fall many anglers use larger lures and slow the speed of their presentations. They will often search for them in shallower and warmer water and take advantage of this fish’s larger appetite that comes prior to winter’s arrival.
Want even more insight on targeting muskellunge – during all times of year? Check out their page on the Michigan Fish and How to Catch Them website.