Saginaw River Report from LIVE BAIT

[Skeeter]

"Saginaw river Report from Live Bait"
Fishing report for the Saginaw River from Woody at Live Bait.

For the last month fishing on the Saginaw River has been great.
People
casting from shore were using stick baits like Husky Jerks,
Thunder sticks,
etc. and doing very well. Jigging from boats was also
producing many
limits of walleye. This year we have noticed many undersized
fish also
which is good for our future of fishing. Since November 15 here
at Live
Bait we have weighed in a 13.39, 11.27, 11.81 and several 10#
fish. At this
time Dec 7, the river is frozen all the way across. The ice at
Hooters is
now 3 inches thick. We recommend at least 4 inches or better
before you
venture out on the ice. Use a spud for safety. We will try to
give a new
updated report on this site every 2 or 3 days. We are open from
6am to 6pm
7 days for your convience. We are at corner point of Michigan,
Mackinaw,
and Gratiot. You are more than welcome to call us at
517-797-8100 during
working hrs. for any more up to date info I have.

[ESOX]

It is unfortunate that a bait shop should endorse the mentality of keeping all the legal sized fish caught, particularly the large ones. The largest fish are generally females and are the ones that should be released. If you kill all of your friends, who are you going to play with?

[crash]

How are you reading that ESOX?
Just because they weighed them in dosn't mean they endorse anything other then catch and release. Don't shoot the messenger unless you know the whole story. Anyway we are talking Saginaw Bay here, the people eating those fish won't be around to much longer anyway.

[ESOX]

I may have read a little bit too much into it, however it does say "here at live bait we have weighed..." I would venture to say that people dragging their large fish to the bait shop aren't racing back to the river to release those hogs full of roe.

[ESOX]

By the way crash,I have a friend who swears that he catches 20" Walleyes in the St. Clair River off Sarnia that weigh 15#!!! Not only that but some double as flashlights & others are functional thermometers.

[crash]

my point is that I havn't seen a bait shop yet that can keep guys from keeping fish (expecially walleye). Now by calling them out all your doing is making it where they wouldn't want to post reports.

I understand your point, but using Muskie ideas in a wally world never has added up. Unless the habitat was so fragile it warrented it. Saginaw Bay is far from being a fragile habitat for walleyes.

Now if you want to talk about all the snagging that goes on during the spawn then thats another story.

[Shoeman]

Let's not go the way of the steelhead site.
We all agree that the larger walleyes should be released, but if someone want's to mount a 13lb.fish, so be it. Maybe a 10lb. fish should be released, since it's really not trophy status anymore and it's table quality limited. I've heard enough of catch and release with steelhead in the river. The real problem lies in the charter boat fleet. They go out twice a day and limit out day after day, not some guy on a bucket or in waders taking a fish or two.
Just my 2 cents.
The Shoeman

[Skeeter]

I didn't post the report for Live Bait to get into a pissing match on
what size fish to keep. I posted it as a service to those who might
me
interested about the fishing on the Saginaw River. Unless I see a
couple
of postitive posts I won't be posting here anymore. If you are
interested in the report let me know. Other wise it is a waste of my
time. Skeeter

[iceman2]

Skeeter I do thank you for the info. I some times fish the saginaw river and the information would be very helpfull being I have a hour or so drive to get there. I shure would hate to waste a trip. So I`m looking forward to more reports. THANKS.

[Steve]

Skeeter PLEASE keep your posts coming.

[Shoeman]

Skeeter, don't let the view of some, discourage any post of success through out the state. I too, enjoy catching, and yes, EATING fish. It is to point of "fish hugging"
by some and getting out of hand. If they have their way, nobody will post anything, in fear of a keyboard lashing. Keep 'em comming.
The Shoeman

[Skeeter]

Thanks guys, I do know there is only a handful of guys fishing the river right now. I wouldn't yet! Looks to slushy to me. Call Woody anytime. Skeet

[toto]

Skeeter, I for one appreciate your reports for the Saginaw River. I am wanting to get down there sometime this winter, and this is the best source of whats going on, both fishing wise, and especially for the ice conditions; keep up the good work. :D

Keep the reports coming , I'm from the west side of the state , your reports could safe us a trip over .