Saginaw Bay west side is still producing walleye pretty much everywhere including the Spark Plugs, both the Saganing and Pinconning Bars, the Black Hole, off the mouth of the Kawkawlin River, and two to three miles northeast of Spoils Island. On the east side, walleye fishing in the Slots has slowed. Most boats from Quanicassee, Sebewaing and Bay Port are crossing The Bar and heading to deeper water on the other side. For those that do not want to go that far, walleye are being caught along the edge of the weed beds in Wildfowl Bay. At Caseville, boats are doing well off Oak Point, north of the Charity Islands, and the reefs between Caseville and Port Crescent State Park.
Saginaw River small boats trolling Hot-n-Tots in the lower river are still getting some walleye. Shore anglers at Smith Park in Essexville caught bass and catfish.
Shiawassee River producing a few bass that were keepers. Small panfish have been caught in the backwaters.
Au Gres Area walleye have been caught on the north side of Big Charity Island in 20 to 30 feet of water. Limit catches are still taking place beyond Pointe Au Gres, along the inner bay north of Buoys 1 & 2 and off Point Lookout in 40 feet of water.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Grindstone City walleye fishing off the tip of the Thumb is still very good in 30 to 40 feet of water. Boat and shore anglers caught walleye inside the harbor at night.
Oscoda producing salmon, steelhead, lake trout and a good number of walleye. They are fishing 80 to 150 feet of water with spoons, flies, wobble glows and cut bait. As the water turns over and cooler waters move closer to shore, it will not be long before fish start moving into the river.
Port Austin has excellent walleye fishing in 25 to 30 feet of water near Hat Reef and other reefs. Pier anglers caught walleye and catfish in the evening.
Tawas walleye fishing in the bay were heading toward Alabaster and fishing in 30 to 50 feet of water. Walleye anglers also caught several steelhead when trolling or drifting crawler harnesses. Pier anglers caught large and smallmouth bass, rock bass and a couple small perch outside the wall.
Weekly Fishing Tip: Great places to target muskellunge in Michigan
Are you interested in targeting muskellunge this summer? Many anglers would place the four water bodies listed on their lists of top spots to visit.
- Tahquamenon River in Luce County From below Tahquamenon Falls all the way to Lake Superior produces great muskie fishing.
- Thornapple Lake in Barry County Muskies can be found on the east or west ends of the lake. Please note there’s a 50-inch minimum size limit on this lake.
- Skegemog Lake in Kalkaska County A good spot to focus on here is the edges of a deep hole that’s off of the entrance to Elk Lake.
- Lake St. Clair in St. Clair County Lots of inlets and outlets on this lake provide ideal conditions for muskies.
Don’t forget a non-transferrable Muskellunge Harvest Tag is required to harvest any muskellunge in Michigan. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/muskie