Saginaw Bay strong winds from the north and northeast make it difficult for boat anglers to get out. A few walleyes were caught in eight to 20 feet off Linwood and near the Callahan Reef in 15 feet with crank baits or a crawler harness. Fish were also caught straight out from Quanicassee in eight to 10 feet or at the south end of the Slot. A few yellow perch were caught when trolling crawlers. From Sebewaing to Caseville, most of the activity was shore anglers or bass anglers. Bass were caught and released on a variety of artificial baits. A couple pike were also caught.
- Saginaw River catfish and freshwater drum were caught near Smith Park in Essexville.
- Tittabawassee River a few limit catches of walleye were taken downstream of Center Road around Greenpoint Nature Center and upstream near Coty’s Landing. Most were trolling a chartreuse, orange, blue or silver Flicker Shad. Catch rates were spotty so anglers had to search for them. White bass were caught in the lower river when trolling artificial baits. Above Center Road in Freeland and closer to Midland the fishing pressure was light as anglers did not have much success. The entire river was now fishable and catch rates should improve as it warms up.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Oscoda those trolling spoons, body baits and spin-glo’s caught lake trout in 20 to 45 feet and beyond. The odd Chinook or Atlantic salmon were also caught. Pier anglers caught walleye and a few lake trout in the morning or evening when casting body baits. A couple freshwater drum, carp, and channel cats were also caught.
- Au Sable River steelhead fishing picked up again and the suckers were dropping off the gravel. Drifting or floating beads, flies and spawn worked best. Fly anglers with egg patterns or nymphs have also caught fish. Those casting body baits or floating crawlers caught walleye and smallmouth bass in town and near the mouth. The river was high, and temperatures were just above 50 degrees.
Port Austin those trolling crank baits reported slow catch rates. Catch and release bass were taken on crawlers or tube baits.
Fishing Tip: Taking great catch-and-release photos
Are you an avid catch-and-release angler? Do you like to take photos of the fish you catch, prior to returning them to the water? Do you know the safest way to take these photos so you ensure the fish can live to be caught another day?
- Wet your hands before you handle the fish – that way you won’t remove any of the protective mucus (aka slime) the fish has coating their body.
- Remember a fish can not breathe out of water, so they will become uncomfortable rather quickly. Keep the fish in the water until your camera is ready to take the shot.
- Take the photo with the fish close to the water, that way if it squirms out of your hands it will land in the water – not on a hard surface.
- While holding a fish do not pinch or squeeze it and do not stick your fingers in its gills.
- Be mindful of the different kinds of fish that have teeth and/or spines that could stick you.