Apparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageLakes & ReservoirsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Eastern Saginaw Bay Fishing Guide
Michigan
The east side of Saginaw Bay from Quanicassee to Sebewaing and Bay Port, where anglers troll the slot for walleye, fish for yellow perch, and catch largemouth bass near shore.
Part of Saginaw Bay.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Eastern Saginaw Bay for largemouth bass, yellow perch and walleye. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: largemouth bass is prime May to Jun; walleye is prime May to Jul.
There are 6 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 5 bait and tackle); the closest is Alexander's Bait & Tackle in Sebewaing, about 4 mi away. Also nearby: the Au Sable River (Oscoda).
Season at a Glance
JFMAMJJASOND
Largemouth Bass
Yellow Perch
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Walleye
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower No Agency Season Found
Season Rules & Licenses
- Walleye (Saginaw Bay and the lower Saginaw River to the Center Street Bridge): 8 a day, 13 inch minimum, open all year. Michigan DNR 2026
- Bass: catch-and-immediate-release all year; may be kept from the Saturday before Memorial Day to Dec. 31. Michigan DNR 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Michigan fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Licensed Bait Dealers Nearby
Alexander's Bait & Tackle
700 S Sebewaing St, SebewaingSource: Michigan DNR's bait dealer list, May 2026.
Parts of Saginaw Bay
- Main PageSaginaw BayLake Huron's Saginaw Bay, fished for walleye and yellow perch from Bay City and Linwood at the lower end of the bay and from Quanicassee, Sebewaing and Bay Port on its east side.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · MichiganLower Saginaw BayThe lower end of Saginaw Bay off Bay City and Linwood, where Michigan DNR reports walleye trolled around Callahan Reef and Spoils Island and yellow perch caught at the Spark Plug buoys.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan · You're HereEastern Saginaw BayThe east side of Saginaw Bay from Quanicassee to Sebewaing and Bay Port, where anglers troll the slot for walleye, fish for yellow perch, and catch largemouth bass near shore.
Eastern Saginaw Bay Species
Species per Michigan DNR: Largemouth Bass; Yellow Perch and Walleye. Catch by month from Michigan DNR creel survey data.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Walleye
Prime: May to Jul
No fly setup listed for walleye; see Spin / Cast.
Spin / Cast
7 to 8 ft medium casting rod and line-counter reel for trolling crawler harnesses behind bottom bouncers and deep crankbaits, 10 to 12 lb line. For jigging, a 6.5 ft medium-light rod with 10 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodSt. Croix Eyecon Trolling Rod · 7 ft 6 in or 8 ft 6 in, medium, moderate, 10 to 20 lb line (telescopic)Check Price
- ReelOkuma Magda Pro Line Counter Reel · size 20, right handCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 10 or 12 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Lure for November · Size 3 to 4 bladeCrawler Harness · Northland Baitfish-Image Spinner Harness✓ Named by Michigan DNRBehind a bottom bouncer.Check Price
- Lure for November · 1/8 to 3/8 ozJig and Minnow · Northland Fire-Ball JigCheck Price
- Lure for November · 2.75 to 4.4 inDeep-Diving Crankbait · Rapala Deep Tail DancerTrolled or cast.Check Price
- Lure for November · 1.5 to 4.75 inJerkbait · Rapala X-Rap JerkbaitAfter dark.Check Price
Named by Michigan DNR: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources names this kind of fly, lure or bait for this fish here; tap the name for its page. It names the type, not the product we link, and does not endorse this site.
Other Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Eastern Saginaw Bay:
- Alexander's Bait & Tackle, SebewaingWebsite
- Bass Pro Shops, SaginawWebsite
- KB Bait & Tackle, BridgeportWebsite
Map of Eastern Saginaw Bay
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Nothing at its peak this month.
Daylight
Loading…
Moon
Loading…
Typical Weather
47°F high, 31°F low
About 2.4 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 20 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Apparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageIce Safety
Ice Fishing Float Suit
An insulated jacket and bibs with flotation foam built in, for time on the ice.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check PriceIce Safety
Frabill Ice Picks
A pair of ice picks worn at the base of your sleeves, to help you climb out if you fall through the ice.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageIce Safety
Yaktrax Pro Ice Cleats
Slip-on traction for walking glare ice and packed snow.
Pack It For: Dec to Feb
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Eastern Saginaw Bay
Source: Michigan DNR Boating Access Sites. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Eastern Saginaw Bay
Within 45 mi
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Eastern Saginaw Bay
Within 25 mi
Charter
Team Gunsmoke Sportfishing & Guide Service
Elkton, Michigan· 17 mi
Per their website: Walleye, Full-Day Trips, Ice Fishing
Charter
Reel Fishing
Linwood, Michigan· 22 mi
65 S Linwood Beach Rd 989-529-4097
Per their website: Lake Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Offshore, Ice Fishing
