NAIFC

Saginaw Bay Walleye

When discussing Michigan’s top winter walleye destinations, Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay tops my list of areas to go to. Located on the northern side of the state’s famous thumb, the bay draws anglers from around the “Ice Belt” to its frozen shores. They come for trophy sized eyes and plenty of eaters readily available. Extra bonuses include lake trout or whitefish that roam the bay all winter long.

Local Headquarters

Located in Linwood on M-13 which circles the bay, Frank’s Great Outdoors (989. 697.5341) is my first stop for everything ice fishing. They have all latest gear, my livebait needs and current fishing reports. This includes VHS free shiners, and keep your receipts because the local DNR will inspect anglers while fishing.

Mobility

Of all the lessons I have learned from nearly a decade of listening to presentations given by ice legend Dave Genz, mobility is the key to fishing Saginaw Bay. Be prepared to gear up accordingly and plan for rapid moves to stay on top of the nomadic schools of walleye as they travel throughout the day. Transportation is a must, be it quad or snowmobile. Anglers can put anywhere from 15 to 30 miles on their machines in a day out on the bay.

Location

Although the misconception is that much of the inner bay is devoid of tradition structure that might hold fish, there is more than meets the eye. Most obvious is the famous “Black Hole” which holds walleye all year long. Surrounded by a 14 foot edge, it drops quickly to 21 foot, and 26ft in the center. Next are some of the subtle humps that exist to the northeast of the hole. Although not as drastic, nor as defined as some inland waters, these hold walleyes on the backsides that give shelter from the currents driven by the winds where the ice meets open water.

Tactics

The bay is changing, and what has worked in years past does not have the same effect as it once did. Do not plan on trying what works on other areas of the Great Lakes either; you might end up with a similar result. Growing up within a few miles of Lake Erie, my tackle was dominated by heavy action rods and BIG spoons, jigs and swimbaits. Not so many years ago, this approach was widely used on the bay as well.

Long time local walleye angler and good friend, Adam Marchbanks grew up fishing for walleye on Saginaw Bay throughout the year. While fishing together last winter he made a valid observation in the changes occurring in the fishery. With the introduction of zebra mussels from foreign vessel’s ballast tanks being emptied into Lake St. Clair back in 1988 and their spread into the other Great Lakes, the water clarity has vastly improved. The mussels can easily filter out a quart of water a day, and that has left the water in the bay very clear.

Sunrise on the Bay

Because of this, you have to adapt and downsize your approach to match the improved visibility enjoyed by the walleyes. Where half and ¾ ounce baits once dominated, they are being replaced by ¼ and 3/8th oz offerings. It is what the walleye want and to have a good day out there, you have to give it to them. Big baits still hold true in the fast moving current of the Saginaw River, but out on the bay, smaller produces more fish on the ice.

My favorite setup is a 32 inch St Croix Premier Medium action rod with a Daiwa Caprice 1000. Spooled with 8 to 10 lb Power Pro and 6 to 10 lb Vanish fluorocarbon leaders. Favorite baits include Northland’s Buck-Shot Rattle and Forage Minnow Spoons, while my favorite jigs are Northland’s Fire-Eye Grub and Fire-Ball livebait jig. Some old standby’s include Swedish Pimples and Slender Spoons.

Maybe do to the water’s clarity, rapid jigging seems to drive fish away. Approach with a less aggressive action, and gauge your results by the picture you get from your Vexilar flasher. The FL-20 shines with the split screen and zooming in on the bottom section(s) of the water column.