"I start near Linwood, park at the city ramp and run five to seven miles northeast to the structure humps that traditionally hold winter hawgs," Leuenberger said. "As the winter progresses and fish migrate south, I move to the state park or DNR boat launch at the Saginaw River mouth, and spend most my time fishing around the manmade island where walleyes congregate prior to the spring spawning run.

"Look for limit catches in 17 to 20 feet of water using a silver/blue No. 3 Do-Jigger spoon or small white Swedish Pimple tipped with a lively minnow," Leuenberger continued. "Warm weather can create runoff, which stimulates walleyes, and they will charge into the mighty Saginaw River. Begin by looking for them near the warmwater discharge off Pioneer Street in Bay City. Next, hit the Veterans Park. If you don't find fish, try traditional hotspots near downtown Saginaw like the Zilwaukee Bridge, Carrolton Island, Bean Hole, Hooters, WMCA Hole or Wicks Park."

Leuenberger has his favorite weapons, too.

"My hottest river walleye lure is a chartreuse No. 5 Jigging Rapala tipped with a crappie-sized minnow," he said. "Pump the offering 1 to 8 inches off bottom, and tap bottom every few minutes. Big walleyes will see the lure dancing in the current and slurp the hook with only a light tap-tap, which feels like a bluegill on the line."

For lodging and area information, call the Bay City Chamber of Commerce at (979) 245-8333, or go to www.baycitchamber.com. Also, try the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce at (989) 752-7161, or www.saginawchamber.org. Frank's Great Outdoors will have up-to-date fishing info at (989) 697-5341.

LAKE ST. CLAIR
"Lake St. Clair has a legacy of providing superb winter walleye catches, with plenty of big fish mixed in," explained Gary Towns, DNR fisheries specialist for the region. "Walleye fishermen begin their quest as soon as ice forms. Many walk from shore pulling gear on a sled or carrying auger, rod and reel, graph and bait. When thick ice forms, most use snowmobiles or quad runners to reach distant points."

Lake St. Clair logs more winter walleye fishing man-hours than any Michigan lake, and for good reason. It is located close to metro Detroit, and the lake is loaded with fish. Lake St. Clair is a connecting waterway between Lake Huron, the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Many of the walleyes caught in Lake St. Clair are thought to be transient fish migrating from Huron to Erie, or vice versa.