Saginaw Bay Walleye were caught near buoy 1 and 2 in 25 feet of water on flicker shads and two miles west of the Sparkplug while trolling with crawlers. Walleye were also caught two miles east of the Sparkplug while trolling with crawlers and in 6 to 8 feet of water while trolling with crawlers out in front of Finn Road. Some yellow perch were caught in the Old Shipping channel and at sailboat buoy H and A. On the east side of the bay, walleye were starting to scatter and head out into deeper water. Anglers near the inner bay were doing best over the bar in 20 to 24 feet of water, or east of the shipping channel in 25 to 30 feet of water. A few walleye were caught in 10 to 12 feet, and also out in the slot in 16 to 18 feet of water. Those fishing around the Caseville area should be able to find walleye off the Charity Islands and around Oak Point. Crawler harnesses, body baits and spoons all caught fish.
Quanicassee Area Anglers reported slow walleye fishing with one to three walleye per boat taken while trolling night crawler harnesses on Callahan Reef in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Outer Saginaw Bay:
Au Gres Area Walleye fishing was very good with lots of limits caught in 15 to 20 feet near the bell buoy in 12 to 18 feet, down near the shipwreck in 25 to 30 feet, and near the Saganing and Pinconning bars in 10 to 15 feet. Both crawlers and flicker shads were catching fish. There were some good reports of largemouth and smallmouth bass caught along the weed beds and near structure while casting plastics, spinners and body baits.
Grindstone Area Walleye were caught straight out from the harbor in 25 to 35 feet while using both artificial lures and crawler harnesses.
Port Austin Area Walleye were scattered in different areas sometimes out by the lighthouse or to the west towards Caseville. Anglers were mostly trolling with crawler harnesses in 30 to 40 feet of water.
Tawas Area Anglers reported that the walleye fishing was very good with some limits caught down near the north side of the Charity Island in 15 to 25 feet, south of the “crib” in 60 feet and east of buoy #2 in 60 to 70 feet. Flicker shad, crawlers and spoons all caught fish. There were a few steelhead, brown trout and coho salmon caught out in 60 to 70 feet off spoons out past buoy #2. On the pier at the State Harbor, there were some largemouth and smallmouth bass and rock bass caught while casting spinners, plastics and crawlers. At Gateway Park on the Tawas River, there were a few largemouth and smallmouth bass, and pumpkin seed fish caught while casting plastics, spinners and still fishing with crawlers.
Fishing Tip: Help prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species
Anglers and boaters can do their part to help make sure Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams are protected against invasive species by following these some simple steps:
- CLEAN boats, trailers and equipment.
- DRAIN live wells, bilges and all water.
- DRY boats and equipment.
- DISPOSE of unwanted bait in the trash.
Want to learn more about how you can help? Visit Michigan.gov/Invasives.