Waterbody · Michigan
Saginaw Bay Fishing Regulations 2026
Saginaw Bay fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass. 95 current rules across 4 species from DNR.
Species pages for Saginaw Bay
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (95)
DNR regulates 95 rules across 4 species at this water.
Walleye
Banks
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Black R.In season
- Season opens
- May 15
- Season closes
- Mar 15
from Alverno Dam downstream to its confluence with the Cheboygan R.
Clark
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Corey
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Cub
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Deer Island
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Dorothy
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
East Bear
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Elsie
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Fisher
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Florence
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Germain
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Glimmerglass
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Golden Silence
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Hay
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Helen
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
High
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Honey
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Jay
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Johnston Springs
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Katherine
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Kerr
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Liluis
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Lois
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Loon
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Louise
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Marsh
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Moss
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Mountain
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Snap Jack
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Trapper
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
West Bear
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Whitefish
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Michigan statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 15"
combined with Sauger
Largemouth Bass
L. Michigan
- Season opens
- Jul 1
within one-half mile of the following islands of the Beaver Island Archipelago: Beaver, Garden, High and Hog
Michigan statewideCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Season opens
- Apr 27
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Possession
- 10 fish
- Min size
- 14"
CIR fishing for bass is allowed all year on all waters, unless otherwise closed to fishing. All bass caught must be immediately returned to the water. Southern Zone combined with Smallmouth Bass
All Species
East Branch Au Gres River (Whitney Drain) From M-55 Downstream To Saginaw Bay.Open
- Status
- Permitted
Type 3 regulations apply
Rifle River From Sage Lake Road (T23n, R3e, S22) Downstream To Saginaw Bay.Open
- Status
- Permitted
Type 3 regulations apply
Rifle River From Sage Lake Road (T23n, R3e, S22) Downstream To Saginaw BayOpen
- Status
- Permitted
Au Gres R. From Saginaw Bay Upstream To M-65 (T22n, R5e, S26)Closed
- Status
- Closed
unlawful to take or attempt to take any species of fish with dip nets
Yellow Perch
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Saginaw Bay?
DNR regulates fishing on Saginaw Bay.
What species can I target on Saginaw Bay?
Saginaw Bay is best known for walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DNR's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.