Saginaw Bay Anglers reported finding walleye scattered around the east side of the bay. Walleye were caught off the edge of Callahan Reef and straight out from Quanicassee in 12-14 feet of water. Few walleye have been caught from the middle of the slot, as it seemed most were around the inside edge of the bar or out over the bar in 20-24 feet of water. A few anglers were also working deeper water east of the shipping channel in 24-26 feet of water and some were out deep on the bay in 32-plus feet of water. Crawlers were the most productive, but body baits such as flicker shads also caught walleye. Bass anglers were catching largemouth bass near the shore throughout the east side of the bay on a variety of artificial baits.
Note: Sumac Island (Geiger Road) access will be closed beginning Monday, June 3, for approximately two weeks for making launch improvements.
Lower Saginaw Bay Walleye Anglers reported catching fish when trolling with both crawlers and plastic baits 2 miles east of the Sparkplug in 20-23 feet of water. They also reported catching fish straight out from Pinconning in 20 feet of water when trolling with crawlers and near Callahan Reef in 15-17 feet of water when trolling with plastic baits and crawlers.
Saginaw River Anglers A few largemouth bass were caught and released in the vicinity of Stoney Island.
Outer Saginaw Bay
Au Gres Area Good numbers of walleye were caught when trolling straight out in 40-42 feet of water with nightcrawler harnesses. Some limits were taken, with most anglers fishing all day to catch them.
Pine River Walleye were caught trolling nightcrawler harnesses in the Catfish Hole in 12-13 feet of water. The average number of walleye caught per boat was one to five fish.
Port Austin Smallmouth bass were caught from boats inside the harbor, along the break wall and from fishing platforms along Bird Creek casting artificial lures. A few walleye were caught west of the harbor in 10-20 feet of water when trolling artificial lures and fishing near shore in the evenings.
Tawas Area smallmouth bass were caught in Tawas Bay when casting various artificial baits.
Fishing tip: Fly season is quickly approaching!
Although much of what a trout feeds on throughout the year is under the water’s surface, June is prime time for dry fly fishing on the surface for stream trout.
Many aquatic insects, like mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies, found in trout streams emerge during June, making it an exciting time to fish with dry flies that float on the water’s surface. Check with your local tackle shop or fly shop to learn which insects are currently hatching in your area.
Many of the mayfly hatches occur after sunset, so be sure to be familiar with the river you are fishing. Also make sure your headlamp/flashlight is working properly – and have fun!