Saginaw River

Saginaw Bay is one of the premier walleye fisheries in the state of Michigan. Saginaw bay has made headlines with many national walleye tournaments being held on this body of water. In the past, the walleye fishery dramatically declined due to over harvesting and lack of forage. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources stocked more walleye and other major predatory game fish to balance out the ecosystem. Results from their studies have indicated it was a success. Stocking of walleye and other predatory fish, currently, are halted or are at low numbers. The locals break the bay into 2-sections, the “inner” and the “outer” bay. The inner bay is considered to be from Sand Point and Point Lookout to the mouth of the Saginaw River and the outer bay is considered to be from Point Lookout and Sand Point to Au Sable Point and Port Austin. Caution must be used when fishing or navigating the bay and rivers. Many shallow rock reefs, sandbars and old pilings are present and can cause damage to boats and other watercrafts. The wind and weather can also effect the fishing and traveling on the bay. Pay attention to the current weather conditions.

Alewife, gizzard shad, spottail shiner, smelt, trout perch, emerald shiner and gobies are abundant and important forage for walleye. Mayfly larvae provides forage for perch. Young of the year perch are forage for Smallmouth and largemouth bass.

In spring, walleye and perch move into the incoming streams to spawn. The Tittabawassee, Quanicassee, Pine and Au Gres Rivers are key spawning rivers. After spawning, walleye and perch move downstream and back into the bay. During summer when the inner bay warms, walleye begin a slow migration towards the cooler and deeper water of the outer bay.