Waterbody · Michigan
Saginaw Bay Fishing Regulations 2026
Saginaw Bay fishing regulations as of 2026-05-08: 95 current rules from DNR. Anglers target walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass.
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.
Baptist L.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Reshaped from bag_limit=0 (closure marker)
Black R.Out of season
- Season opens
- May 15
- Season closes
- Mar 15
from Alverno Dam downstream to its confluence with the Cheboygan R.
Cheboygan R.Out of season
- Season opens
- May 15
- Season closes
- Mar 15
Clair Lks.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
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.
Craig Lks.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
Crooked Lks.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
Crystal L.Closed
- Status
- Closed
Reshaped from bag_limit=0 (closure marker)
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.
Keewaydin Lks.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
Kerr
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Lac Vieux Desert
- Possession
- 3 fish
- Min size
- 18"
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.
Nelligan Lks.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
Snap Jack
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Min size
- 20"
not more than 1 fish of any of these species.
Teddy Lks.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
Thomas Lks.
- Daily bag
- 2 fish
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
Michigan statewide
- Daily bag
- 25 fish/day
- Possession
- 100 fish
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.
When was this last updated?
These rules were last verified against DNR on 2026-05-08. 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. Last verified .