Rigs
Mack's Lure Wedding Ring Spinner
Small spinners tipped with corn or maggots for kokanee and perch.
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A shallow arm of Lake Huron with big walleye numbers and perch through the ice.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Saginaw Bay for yellow perch and walleye. The best months overall are Jan to Nov. In October, yellow perch and walleye are in season, and Suspending Jerkbait, Paddle-Tail Swimbait and Crappie Jig are a good place to start. There are 10 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 9 bait and tackle); the closest is Alexander's Bait & Tackle in Sebewaing, 13 mi away. Au Sable River is 77 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Jan to Nov
In October
Yellow Perch, Walleye
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Saginaw Bay Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
6 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Suspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Walleye · After dark.
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Walleye
Shop This LureCrappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz
LureJig · Yellow Perch
Shop This LureJig and Minnow 1/8 to 3/8 oz
LureJig · Walleye
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Walleye, Yellow Perch
Nightcrawlers Whole or half
BaitLive Bait · Yellow Perch
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Yellow Perch
Spin / Cast 6 ft ultralight spinning rod or ice rod, 4 lb line, perch spreader or small jig.
Walleye
Spin / Cast 6.5 ft medium-light spinning rod, 2500 reel, 10 lb braid with a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Saginaw Bay
Crankbaits
Rapala Shad Rap
A tight-wobbling crankbait that walleye anglers troll and cast.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Berkley Trilene XL Monofilament
Limp, easy-casting mono for spinning reels and general fishing.
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Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A fish-friendly rubber net that does not tangle hooks.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo
Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Saginaw Bay
Bait & Tackle
Alexander's Bait & Tackle
Sebewaing, Michigan· 13 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Sebewaing, MI.
Bait & Tackle
The Hook Party Store and Bait Shop
Billings Twp, Michigan· 31 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Billings Twp, MI.
Bait & Tackle
Dean's Bait & Tackle
Moffatt Twp, Michigan· 32 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Moffatt Twp, MI.
Bait & Tackle
Lakeside Bait & Tackle shop
Beaverton, Michigan· 33 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Beaverton, MI.
Make It a Trip