Saginaw River Launch

[Mr. UglyStick]

Drove over the Zilwaukee bridge today to see about 30 boats on the river. You gentlemen that fish it, where do you launch your boats at? Any help would be greatful!! Thanks

[snakebit67]

zilwaukee has a nice launch. kind of depends where you want to fish

[higherpowered]

My understanding is the ramps are in at Rust Street which is just off M-46 (head west off I-75, exit 149) across from Wickes Park.

[ArrowFlinger]

zilwaukee has a nice launch. kind of depends where you want to fish

I have never fished that river. Plan on doing it soon, Zil would be the easiest launch for me to find after driving an hour+ to get there. Would I go downstream or upstream to find the fish?

Thanks

[Spartaned]

There is also a new ramp where M-13 crosses the Cass River just south of Saginaw. It's owned and maintained by the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.

[snakebit67]

I have never fished that river. Plan on doing it soon, Zil would be the easiest launch for me to find after driving an hour+ to get there. Would I go downstream or upstream to find the fish?

Thanks


downstream from the launch (which is actually heading north)

[spikecamp]

There is also a new ramp where M-13 crosses the Cass River just south of Saginaw. It's owned and maintained by the Shiawassee

National Wildlife Refuge.

those eyes go up the cass also! I always see a few launches from that sight, youre real close where all three of the rivers mouths come to-gether, never have tryed there much luck?

[Spartaned]

those eyes go up the cass also! I always see a few launches from that sight, youre real close where all three of the rivers mouths come to-gether, never have tryed there much luck?

They were nailing 'em Friday and Saturday right by the bridge. There is also a good hole right at the mouth of the Cass where it dumps into the Shiawassee.

[Walleye123]

These two launches are the most popular to launch from. Rust is very nice and is controlled by the Saginaw City. There are 3 docks or 6 slots to launch. They charge 6 dollars a day or 30 or 35 for a year pass. This launch is very popular because it is only a 5 minute boat ride down stream from where the Shiawassee and Tittabawasse merge. Wickes park is right across the river and is a very popular spot to fish for walleyes at night because there is current and slack water, not to mention a distinctive mud line that sometimes is caked with eyes.
The Zilwaukee has 2 docks or 4 slots. I believe it is a pay your own sight. I have only launched there once, a few years back. It is also popular because down stream there is a nice shelf that goes from 10 to 15 feet and holds a lot of fish. There is good slack water for night trolling and usually is good all day long, but the eyes bite really lightly during the day.
If you have a boat that moves quickly I recommend the Rust St. launch only because I find myself fishing from Wickes Park down a mile or two near Hooters and or the Genessee st Bridge.
The boat ride from Rust St. to Zilwaukee takes about 15-25 minutes, We did it last week with a 16 ft 25 HP and it was a cold one. Take a face mask if you are daring to make that trip.
I can tell you that I would focus more towards the mouth right now, I have fished every other day since it has been open. Good numbers but not huge eyes.
good luck!