Saginaw Bay walleye were scattered but fish were caught four miles north of Pinconning along the Saganing Bay on crawlers in 15 feet, out near Buoy #4 with crawlers and crank baits as well as three miles east of the Spark Plug, off the Bay City State Park in nine to 10 feet and near Sailboat Buoy S when using crawlers. Channel cats were taken near the Hot Ponds. Those fishing between Finn Road and Quanicassee found walleye in 12 to 17 feet while some found fish deeper in the shipping channel and the Bar in 20 to 30 feet. Sebewaing to Bay Port is still producing some fish in the Slot in 16 to 18 feet though more fish were found along the edge of the Bar and deeper. Sand Point to Caseville was producing some walleye in 19 to 20 feet. Be ready to cover lots of water to find active fish and use GPS to circle back on a location. Crawler harnesses, body baits and spoons have caught fish.
- Saginaw River shore anglers at Smith Park in Essexville caught large and smallmouth bass.
Au Gres Area was producing lots of limit catches for walleye from north of the Charity Islands to south of Eagle Bay Marina in 13 to 35 feet. Most were using crawlers however a few fish were also taken on spoons and crank baits. Pier anglers using crawlers caught rock bass.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Grindstone City, walleye limits were taken straight out and to the north in 35 to 45 feet when trolling mostly crawlers, but a few were taken on artificial baits.
Oscoda those trolling between Three Mile Beach and Au Sable Point caught a few lake trout and the occasional walleye, steelhead or pink salmon on spoons, spin-glo’s and meat rigs. Most were targeting fish along the drop-off and the “Humps” in 80 to 160 feet. Lake trout were mostly on bottom with steelhead and pinks in the upper half. The odd Atlantic salmon was caught between Au Sable Point and Tawas Point inside 80 feet near the thermocline and above it. Walleye fishing was slow. Pier anglers caught smallmouth, rock bass and freshwater drum. Nice channel cats were caught in the evening.
- Au Sable River those still fishing or drifting crawlers in the lower river caught freshwater drum, channel cats, smallmouth bass, rock bass and the occasional small walleye. Waters below the Mio and Alcona Dams had reached the mid 70’s which put a damper on trout fishing.
Port Austin had good catches of walleye including some limits were taken between here and Grindstone City in 30 to 40 feet when trolling crawlers and body baits
Tawas Area for steelhead, lake trout and a few walleye were caught in 40 to 80 feet out past Tawas Point with spoons and crank baits. Walleye were found in 30 to 45 feet down near Alabaster when using crawlers or crank baits and inside the bay along the weed beds near Buoys 4 & 6 in 20 to 25 feet. Pier anglers casting various lures also caught some walleye.
- Tawas River anglers caught smallmouth bass, pike, rock bass and bowfin on crawlers and body baits.
Fishing Tip: Time for Skamania!
We bring you this oldie, but goodie fishing tip from 2014. Courtesy of Jay Wesley, the Lake Michigan Basin Coordinator out of Plainwell.
Skamania are a strain of steelhead that run rivers in mid to late summer. When Lake Michigan turns over, typically after an east wind, cold water and Skamania can be found close to shore. Piers are a great place to target these summer steelhead. Try fishing alewife or shrimp under a bobber or cast orange Cleos and Kastmasters. St. Joseph, Grand Haven, Muskegon and Manistee piers are good choices.
Once Skamania enter the rivers, target the mouths of coldwater creeks with spinners or Hot-N-Tots. The St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Grand, Muskegon and Manistee rivers all get decent runs of summer steelhead.
For more information on steelhead, check out their page on the DNR’s website.