“The walleyes in Saginaw Bay generally migrate from south to north during the summer,” said veteran tournament pro Andy Kuffer. “The walleyes follow the shad and smelt to deeper water. They’ll also key in on young-of-the-year perch.” Smart anglers are right behind them.

Kuffer said when fishing the open waters of Saginaw Bay, pay close attention to your graph to locate subtle contours that could concentrate walleyes.

“The change might be only a foot or two, but that’s all it takes sometimes because there isn’t a lot of structure out there,” suggested Kuffer. “Other times, the walleyes will be up in the water column not relating to structure at all. Then they’ll be chasing baitfish to the top. You need to pay close attention to your graph.”

Trolling has become the norm as anglers discover it’s the best way to cover large amounts of water on Saginaw Bay.

“The jig bite is not as good since the bay has cleared up,” Kuffer stated. “Most anglers have learned how to troll.”

Kuffer said crawler harnesses have their day, and there are a variety of ways to get them down to the fish. Crankbaits still produce.

“Lures like the Little Ripper and the old 1/4-ounce Hot-N-Tots have been good in recent years,” Kuffer said.

To sample Saginaw Bay’s walleye boom firsthand with walleye pro Andy Kuffer, call him at (586) 247-7332. For information on lodging and accommodations in the Saginaw Bay area, contact the Bay Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 1-888-229-8696, or visit the bureau’s Web site at www.tourbaycitymi.com.

ST. MARYS RIVER
The St. Marys River system represents one of the most diverse, expansive and beautiful walleye fisheries in Michigan.

“On the St. Marys, you’ve got lake fish, channel fish, weed fish, rock fish, flats fish — the fish can just be in so many places,” Andy Kuffer said. “The key, though, still is to find food. Find food and you’ll find fish.”

Sometimes that’s easier said than done. St. Marys River walleyes have a myriad of food sources to choose from, and they change on a seasonal basis. Kuffer related how one recent tournament on the St. Marys was won by anglers who discovered some jumbo ’eyes keying in on a baitfish called a trout-perch found in some weeds in Lake George, a sizeable lake connected to the St. Marys. Anglers definitely need to keep an open mind on the St. Marys.