"With the zebra mussels, now you have isolated, deep weedbeds growing where there never used to be any, and the walleyes really stack up in 'em," said St. Peter. He locates the weedbeds in 8 to 13 feet of water at high speed with the aid of his Lowrance 111 LCG. One you find them, you can pitch jigs, cast or use slip-bobbers for 'eyes that will average 3 to 6 pounds.

Like Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay enjoyed a tremendous walleye hatch in recent years, and there was an abundance of 8- to 13-inch walleyes last year that should reach keeping size this summer.

To learn some of the pro's secrets for Saginaw Bay walleyes firsthand, contact Bill St. Peter at (989) 686-0629. For information on bait shops, lodging and amenities near Saginaw Bay, you can contact the Bay Area Convention & Visitor Bureau online at www.tourbaycitymi.org, or call 1-888-229-8696.

THUNDER BAY
Once one of the top brown trout destinations, Thunder Bay is now gaining a reputation as one of our state's top walleye waters.

"We had a great summer," claimed Dave Birmingham, tournament director for the Thunder Bay Walleye Club. "What was different (last) year was that we caught some during the daytime, which is unusual for us."

Thunder Bay has been producing a tremendous -- and somewhat unheralded -- night walleye bite for years.

"May and early June produce the best nighttime bite," said Birmingham. "It's pretty hard to beat a No. 18 black-and-silver Husky Jerk. You combine that with 14-pound-test line, a line-counter reel and a lighted in-line board, and you're in business."

Birmingham said that the 8- to 12-foot depths are most productive after dark. Expect plenty of 'eyes in the 5- to 7-pound range, and double-digit trophies are common. The night bite resumes in October and lasts until it gets too cold to fish. Gizzard shad and emerald shiners move into the inner bay then, and the walleyes gorge on them. Fishing can be good all the way from Scarecrow Island to Whitefish Point.

The daytime walleye bite during June and July is something new on Thunder Bay. "Catching walleyes in the daytime on the bay is unusual for us," claimed Birmingham. Catching them was as simple as trolling Hot-N-Tots and Reef Runners in 18 to 24 feet of water around Sulphur Island, Grassy Island and Partridge Point. The reefs around North Point, Squaw Island, Gull Island, Thunder Bay Island and Crooked Island near Misery Bay have untapped walleye potential.

For information on the Thunder Bay Walleye Club, contact Dave Birmingham at (989) 356-3764 or online at www.walleyecentral/thunder_bay. For information on amenities, bait shops, and lodging in the area, contact the Alpena Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-800-425-7362, or visit online at www.alpenacvb.com.

St. MARYS RIVER SYSTEM
The St. Marys River system represents hundreds of square miles of potential walleye hotspots, and some of the most beautiful venues you can imagine. Finding walleyes there takes some doing, though.