Saginaw Bay fishing is the stuff of legend, especially to avid Walleye chasers. This bay in Lake Huron offers some of the best spots in the state of Michigan to target prized game fish. With over 1,000 square miles of water to explore, Saginaw Bay is a fishery as big as it is productive.
Anglers come to the bay year round to go after an array of species, including Walleye, Yellow Perch, Panfish, Carp, Bass, Chinook Salmon, and Steelhead. Ice fishing in the area is superb, and often you can catch as many Walleye as you would during your day on a boat.
Top Catches
A lot of anglers come to Saginaw Bay to catch their trophy Walleye, whether in number or the size of the fish. Fishermen are pleasantly surprised by the sheer number of Yellow Perch and Carp. Chinook Salmon is also in the cards, if you know where to look. Because Saginaw Bay is so vast, finding your trophy fish is sometimes easier said than done. If you’ve never cast a line in the bay before, it’s best to take your pick of Saginaw Bay fishing charters. A local captain will know exactly where to go and what technique to use to get you on the bite.
Walleye
Walleye are abundant throughout the year, but the best time to go after them is during the spring spawning run, which usually takes place in April and May. On a good day, you can catch well over 40 pounds of fish in a matter of hours. Trolling is the most productive technique, as well as jigging and casting.
Yellow Perch
Local anglers love going after Perch as much as they enjoy a good Walleye hunt, and chances of hooking a Perch or two on your trip are significant. The middle of the bay is your best bet to catch good amounts of Perch. Testing your luck around buoys could also bring success. The “Blackhole” is another popular fishing spot in the bay, and you can easily find 7–8’’ Perch in its vicinity.
Chinook Salmon
If you’ve had your fill of Walleye hookups and you’d like to try your luck in Salmon fishing, Chinook awaits. The best time to go after these tasty lunkers is during the colder months. You will find them at the meeting point of the green waters of the bay and Lake Huron’s clear waters. Local captains recommend targeting the early morning bite for best results. Start fishing before sunrise and you’ll have at least two hours of solid Chinook action. After that, you can focus on catching Lake Trout and Steelhead.
Fishing Tips
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Board trolling is a very popular technique on Saginaw Bay – anglers use special planer boards tied to the mast that take the lines to the side of the boat, away from the noise so fish are more likely to gulp them down.
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Saginaw Bay fishing usually means one thing – whatever you do, take your time. Slow trolling is the way to success when you’re going after Walleye in these murky waters.
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The nightcrawler harness might be the favorite rig of local fishermen, who swear by it and assure that it will not fail you when it comes to Walleye fishing.
Need to Know
Seeing that the Saginaw Bay fishery is open year round, your chances of success are high no matter when you decide to test its potential. Ice fishing is very popular in the area, so if you’re a hard water enthusiast, this is the place to be on a sunny weekend morning.
Regulations
The rules on Saginaw Bay are simple – if you have your line in the water and are 17 and older, you need a valid Michigan fishing license. Anglers under 17 don’t need a license, but must follow all local fishing regulations.
Budget
If you decide to fish with an experienced local captain, charter prices will vary depending on the length of your trip. You can find half day trips at $150 per person and up to $500 for a group. Full day on the water could cost up to $700.
Getting There
You’ll find the town of Saginaw some 20 miles from Saginaw Bay, so you’ll only need half an hour by car to get to the water. Both Lansing and Detroit are well over 100 miles from the bay, about two-and-a-half hours by car.
Saginaw Bay fishing is the pride of Michigan and once you give it a try, you’ll understand why. With great chances to hook the Walleye of your life both from the boat and on the ice, the waters of the bay promise great times on the rod and fishing action you won’t soon forget.