Saginaw River Report from Live Bait

[Skeeter]

Fishing report for the Saginaw River from Woody at Live Bait.
Talking to Woody today Dec 16, 2000 he says the ice is anywhere
from 3 to 5 inches thick. The problem is there is lots
of slush. Be very careful IF you go out. We recommend at least 4 inches or better before you venture out on the ice. Use a spud for safety. Fish are being caught at Hooters, Wicks Park
and the Beanery. Most are smaller fish 18 -22 inchers with
many smaller non keepers being caught. Fisherman are having
there best luck on Char/White Jigging Rapalas or Char Jig & Minnow. The evening bite around 5PM has been the best. We will try to give a new updated report on this site every 2 or 3 days or as bite or ice conditions change. 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.

[toto]

Thanks Skeeter!!

[Neapolis]

I spent some time in the Bay City Area on a project a few years back and that area off Hooters is popular - year round!!!


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Neapolis
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[Skeeter]

I have seen several people fish that spot but I have never tried it yet. Nels

[Steve]

Thanks for the post skeeter and keep em coming.

[Skeeter]

We just keep getting more and more snow on the Bay and of course the river. The temps are here to make good ice BUT the snow keeps coming. Off to a start of a terrible year for SAFE ice, fisherman. Looks like also snowmobiles will be the ticket for getting around on bay. My quad is nice but deep snow?? Pulling equipment is tough going even with chains. Ha Let it thaw some and start over? Any seconds? Nels

[Steve]

Transferring to Ice Fishing Forum.

[outdoorsman69]

Went out this morning off wickes park. a good 3 inches of ice but very scary lot of snow and slushy stuff. no fish tho. talked to woody this morning. gonna try haitco this afternoon and then the river in the evening. good luck be safe always take a pfd. DCG

[WEEZER]

WHOOOOA dude! Hatico is more scary than the river! especially for early ice.
As much of a River freak as I am I still won't be venturing out on the river for at least a few days!!! there is too much snow and that will insulate the ice! VERY DANGEROUS
3 inches of ice IN MY OPINON is enough to fish on in the downtown area. Even with 8-10 inches of ice the river is still pretty dangerous. USE EXTREME CAUTION!!!
I honestly hope for a quick thaw and then a refreeze without the snow and crust layer of slush.
I'll have nightly reports once I feel the ice is safe. Remember we are about two weeks or more early this year.

[Skeeter]

I sure have to agree with Weezer. Just the thought of going through on the dang river scares the ... out of me. I have seen guys go through on the edges never in the center thank God. Sure couldn't be a good experience.

[WEEZER]

I might hold the all time record for most falls throught the ice!!!
Most of my falls have been around the edges 99% I'd say. I have been through to my knees(Both feet) in the center once and I have seen my buddy go thorough to his knees also. Both times it was due to anglers that insist on making 20" holes or carving out the strip of fishable area on their Ice shanty then covering up the hole with slush!
If you are going to make a large hole PLEASE DON'T COVER IT UP!!!!!!leave the ice chunk near the hole(Within a couple of feet!) or mark it with a stick!
The best size hole for walleyes(Even the pigs) is a 12 inch auger hole or a 8 inch auger hole with a little shaved off the side with a spud!
WEEZER Doesn't plan on falling through this year!!! I fell through once last year but I was climbing the ladder to get off the ice when it happened so I just got a little wet. (There was 12 inches of solid ice in the middle when that happened!)

[iceman2]

Well I see from the news tonight that the ice on the Saginaw River won`t be safe any time soon. At least in the Bay City area. This is due in part to some recent shiping traffic on the river and it does`t look like it will end any time soon.

[kingfisher 11]

Weezer, that spot where the ladder is, the edge always seems to be wet. It makes me a little nervous there too. But man I have caught some hogs there. I always throw them back and keep the small ones, better eating!

What scares me about that river is the current. You go down and you may not find the hole. It is going to be rough going all over the state. At least the bigger lakes have not frozen. They should have less snow, unless the snow keeps coming. I guess this is what the water tables need.

[jimbos43]

Went through the ice 3 years a go at Metro Beach. Depth was well over my head. Haven't been back ice fishing since. Just can't get myself to do it. I've fished the Saginaw and the Thames in Canada and just shudder at the thought of going through the ice on a river. Please be careful.

[WEEZER]

Well I think the ice is good enough for a trial run! I got the news from one of my trusted friends that there is 5 inches of ice at hooters.
I will also check out the ladder spot at McDonalds and put down a load of pallets at the bottom of the ledge so we won't fall in.
That area isn't a big pig producer for me! I get a lot of eaters there though. But I guess I only spend the first week fishing the downtown area until the ice freezes a little better towards Zilwaukee.