Saginaw Bay

[kingfisher 11]

Has anyone been out to the bay in the last couple of days? I was wondering if the walleye turned back on after a slow weekend.

KF

[Tom22]

We fished Sunday a.m. and only picked up 2, I heard they did fairly well in the river on Mon. p.m.

[Skeeter]

I have been fishing quite regular off of Erickson Rd. I have been skunked last couple of times out. funny thing is I have had walleye come in the hole and leave. I have the Atlantis Camera works great but give you fits when you can see them and not catch them. Nels

[eyeskater]

Hey Skeeter,

Big Eyes and I had the same problem last week. One day we must have marked at least 45 fish between the 2 of us, yet not one bite. We tried every trick in the book to no avail. Eventually they'll turn on, then look out if you're there. Stay in touch, and tell us some more about that Atlantis camera.

'Eye-skater

[kingfisher 11]

That is why I was asking if they had turned on yet. Things were very slow last weekend.

[Getaway]

I've been out on the Bay every night this week except for tonight. The fishing is steady. I've been getting 1-3 fish per night ranging from 4-8 lbs. Last night I landed the 8 pounder off of the Bay City State Park out about 4 miles. The fish seem to turn on and off by the hour. You just have to be jigging when they turn on.

Good luck!

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BobK

[walleyewarrior68]

does anybody no if there is a place on the bay that rents shanties or taxi rides out to the fishing hole. would love to go walleye fishing on the bay but have no ride out. four miles is a long walk. or is there a place that you can catch eyes closer. any help would be appreciated.

[moose]

How are the walking conditions on the Saginaw Bay right now? I have not even bothered trying to fish it yet because of all the snow. You can hardly get anywhere if there is too much snow on the ice. I was curious if the melt down helped the walking conditions.

Thanks,

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Moose

[doogster]

moose, the Bay is in good shape. The recent warmup melted a lot of the snow and packed down the rest. It's quite a walk to get to the walleye. i'm going all day tomorrow out of Linwood to get some wallys. I'll post my report on Monday.

[Tom22]

I'm not aware of any rentals on the bay...If you don't feel like walking about 3 miles, I would suggest you try closer to the river mouth, but watch the ice conditions...

[Getaway]

I understand that the Saginaw river has opened up from the Zilwaukee bridge to Bay City. This will make the ice at the river mouth shaky. If you plan on walking out by the river mouth - Beware.

[moose]

thanks for the udpates. I'll be walking out about a mile for some perch on the east side of the bay. Not sure where yet - depends on what the bait shops have to say. I'll probably try geigher road. If the perch are not biting I'll ponder walking out for the eyes. I'll let everyone know if I have some success.

thanks,

[kingfisher 11]

Just got back from the mouth of the Saginaw River. Went out about 5 miles tonight. The ice is great. What ever you have heard, trust me the ice is the best I have seen so fa this year. I had a tipup in a hole tonight for about a hour. I had to bust about a 1-1/2 of ice from the hole. No wet spots, very little snow and its set up well. After tonights cold temps it will be even better.

A few fish were caught tonight right at the mouth.

[walleyewarrior68]

kingfisher, thanks for all the info. does the party store also sell swedish pimples or jigging rapalas. all i have is regular jigheads, if i use them what size does it require. i will probably be around there noon monday, will u be around. thanks much

[kingfisher 11]

I am not sure what they have for lures. I will tell you, everyone has there favorite lure out there. Tonight I talked with a guy who caught a couple and he was using a homemade jig. He tipped it with a live minnow.

You want to go to Paterson road. Once you get to the harbor, turn down chestnut. You will see where everyone parks.

[This message has been edited by kingfisher 11 (edited 01-19-2001).]

[davycs]

Fished friday morning till noon. Went out from kitchen road approximately 5 miles. Got 2 walleye-both around 4 pounds. Was using a blue and silver #5 jigging rapala 1n 23 ft. of water. The last pressure crack was open in some areas and you had to be real careful picking a spot to cross.

[Skeeter]

I have a set of ramps that fold up and carry them on the top of my Lodge Shanty just for crossing the crack. It gives me a since of security! Nels

[Getaway]

Fished the weekend with mixed success. The group of us ended up with 10 fish on Saturday morning. From Saturday evening through Sunday evening we never iced another fish. I heard they moved out to deeper water. We fished around 12 feet and I guess the guys in 17-19 foot caught fish.

The ice looks great!
Tight lines

[Tom22]

Not true, I fished Sun. p.m. in 18 ft water and picked up one 10# fish and that was it....

[walleyewarrior68]

Hey Kingfisher, Fished at the silos just west of the bridge, had 4 good hits. Had one hawg on for about 30 seconds. Lost an average one about half way up. Iced one about 18 inches. All my fish came on clown and blue and silver #7 jigging rapalas. Saw about 12 nice fish iced in front of me out of about 30 guys. The best bite was from 4:30 pm to 6 pm. Hopefully I can make it back there tomorrow. Good Luck!

[kingfisher 11]

Sounds good! I am going to try an make it there also. I do well on that jigging rapala myself.

[toto]

Walleyewarrier, are you talking about the silos in Zilwaukee? 3 of us are wanting to come down and give it a try this saturday, was wondering if the ice will hold out, or what. was thinking of fishing north of the Z bridge, but heard there isn't much if any ice there. If the ice is good south of the bridge we may well fish near the silos, if that is the right silos.

[Getaway]

I was just at the Z-Bridge yesterday afternoon. There was open water about 1/4 mile down stream of the bridge and it looked pretty slushy on both sides of the bridge. There were tons of fisherman out in front of the silos and off of shattuck road.

Did not see any fish on the ice.

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BobK

[toto]

Getaway, thanks for the info. I wonder if you can do me a favor, could you look at the river on Thursday and let me know how it is? You can e-mail me fishaddictus@yahoo.com I would really appreciate it.

[walleyewarrior68]

toto, didn't make it up there today, but going early in the morning. i am going to fish from daybreak until 11. get off have lunch and a beer, then go back from 2 until dark. the ice there was a good 5 inches. Upstream towards the baitshop, big areas of open water, no fisherman east of the bridge.
To kingfisher, if you can make it up there tomorrow, i'll be there. good luck to all! I will post my report tomorrow night.

[This message has been edited by walleyewarrior68 (edited 01-23-2001).]

[kingfisher 11]

Just got back from fishing the river by the Z bridge. The ice is still good, wear your creepers though. There is about 4 inches of ice there.

I did not have a hit. I am in a slump right now. I seen about ten fish caught tonight. Size ranged from 2-8 lbs. They were catching them on #5 and #7 jigging rapalas, chartruse and tiger.

Can't go tomorrow or Thursday as of right now. I plan to hit it hard this weekend.

How far off bottom ae you guys fishing?

[Getaway]

Toto, I'll scan the river for you on Thursday and let you know. Are you interested in the Z-Bridge area or Bay City area? I can e-mail you info late Thursday afternoon.

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BobK

[toto]

I really wanted to try North of the Z bridge about a mile or so, but that doesn't sound too good. So around the silos or crow island, or I could go to Bay City. thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

[doogster]

Anybody going out at Bay City State Park or Patterson Road. Wondering how the conditions are and if you pulling in any walleyes. Linwood is SLOW. Fished there 3 times with no success and other people are doing the same. Can't wait for them to turn on. I guess a just at least need a change of scenery.

[walleyewarrior68]

Kingfisher, Sorry it took me so long to report this. Spent the day at the silos. Morning bite was the best, my buddy took two 3-1/2 to 4 lbers. I had two on lost both about half way up. We each had at least 2 other nice hits. Took a break for lunch at about 11 am. Went to Hooters for the scenery. Started fishing again at 2 til dark. Had one bite the whole time between two of us. Saw 2 in the morning about 9 and 10 lbs iced. And one that weighed at least 11 lbs. about 30 inches. My buddys' fish came on a blue back green bottom black head jigging rapala #7. Plan on spending the whole day there saturday. Good luck!