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
Lower Saginaw Bay Fishing Guide
Michigan
The 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.
Part of Saginaw Bay.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lower Saginaw Bay for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye and channel catfish. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: largemouth bass is prime Jul; smallmouth bass is prime May; walleye and channel catfish are prime May to Jun.
There are 7 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 6 bait and tackle); the closest is Bass Pro Shops in Saginaw, about 18 mi away. Also nearby: the Au Sable River (Oscoda).
Season at a Glance
JFMAMJJASOND
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Yellow Perch
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Walleye
Channel Catfish
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower No Agency Season Found
Agency: Michigan DNRCreel Survey: Michigan DNR (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish)How We Read It
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
Linwood Beach Marina & Campground
135 S Linwood Beach Rd, LinwoodSource: 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 · Michigan · You're HereLower 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 · MichiganEastern 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.
Lower Saginaw Bay Species
Largemouth Bass
Prime months for: Pinconning and Linwood
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Prime: Jul
View Species
Smallmouth Bass
Prime months for: Pinconning and Linwood
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Prime: May
View Species
Yellow Perch
No agency season found.
Catch by Month
Creel survey data, 2016 to 2022 (blank: not surveyed)
Walleye
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Prime: May to Jun
View Species
Channel Catfish
Prime months for: Pinconning and Linwood
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Prime: May to Jun
View SpeciesSpecies per Michigan DNR: Largemouth Bass; Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Walleye and Channel Catfish. 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 Jun
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
- Bait for November · Whole or halfNightcrawlers✓ Named by Michigan DNRBait Shops
- 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 Lower Saginaw Bay:
- Bass Pro Shops, SaginawWebsite
- Alexander's Bait & Tackle, SebewaingWebsite
- KB Bait & Tackle, BridgeportWebsite
Map of Lower Saginaw Bay
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Nothing at its peak this month.
Daylight
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Moon
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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 7 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 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 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 PageTerminal Tackle
Gamakatsu Circle Hooks
Circle hooks designed to set in the corner of a fish's mouth, for fresh and saltwater bait fishing.
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 Lower Saginaw Bay
Source: Michigan DNR Boating Access Sites. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Lower Saginaw Bay
Within 45 mi
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Lower Saginaw Bay
Within 25 mi
Charter
Reel Fishing
Linwood, Michigan· 7 mi
65 S Linwood Beach Rd 989-529-4097
Per their website: Lake Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Offshore, Ice Fishing
