Michigan · United States

Saginaw Bay MI fishing forecast

59 Good of 100

Saginaw Bay MI is a freshwater fishing spot in Michigan, United States. Anglers here target Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike. The most productive months are typically April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Quick answer

Best monthsApril, May, June, July

Top speciesWalleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass

Score now59/100

Local rulesUnited States — Federal Waters

Today’s verdict

Ranks #350 of 435 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today

Trending down — 9 points below this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±7 points, from 7 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+15.0Waves+14.4Barometric pressure+4.4

Pressure trend

Pressure data unavailable

Best window today

05:00 · Light wind (0 km/h) and calm seas

Next solunar peak

minor 09:30

Current conditions

Sea surface temp	21.9 °C
Wind	31 km/h from SSW, gusting 38 km/h
Wave height	0.3 m at 2 s
Pressure	1017 hPa
Cloud cover	100%
Chlorophyll	5.01 mg/m³
Salinity	0.0 PSU
UV index	0
Wind sea	0.3 m at 2 s
Ground swell	0.0 m at 2 s from S

River gauge: AU GRES RIVER AT S MACKINAW RD NR AU GRES, MI (20 km): 40 cfs, steady

The water here is 2.9 °C warmer than the September average of 19.0 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 26.7 m, with the thermocline below that.

Updated 1 h ago.

What the score means at Saginaw Bay MI

Saginaw Bay MI currently scores 59 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 21.9 °C. 7 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +15.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Waves +14.4: swell energy stirring the water column
Barometric pressure +4.4: falling pressure often triggers feeding
Gust factor +4.0: gustiness versus steady wind
Thermocline +3.0: a defined layer stacks fish at one depth
Moon phase +2.4: lunar feeding rhythm

What’s biting now

The model expects today: smallmouth-bass, walleye, brown-trout, yellow-perch, brook-trout, northern-pike, sauger, common-carp

Bite windows

Moon

Waning Crescent · 8% lit

Solunar day rating

60 / 100

Best months for Saginaw Bay MI:

Score history at this spot

30 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-09-01, 85/100

15 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

6 points below the same day last week

About this spot

Water type

Lake · Freshwater

Lakes have no tide, so target structure, drop-offs, and seasonal thermoclines where fish concentrate by depth and temperature.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · beach

What you can catch

Walleye

Sander vitreus
Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens
Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu
Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Best months by species at Saginaw Bay MI

WalleyeSander vitreus
Yellow PerchPerca flavescens
Smallmouth BassMicropterus dolomieu
Northern PikeEsox lucius

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

U.S. federal fisheries authority

United States — Federal Waters

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Federal Recreational Fishing License may be required in addition to state license when fishing federal (EEZ) waters., non-residents Same as residents. Many states require their own license even in federal waters.

FishRadar regulations are summaries only. Federal and state waters rules overlap — always verify current federal and state agency rules before fishing.