Half Day PM Walleye Trip – Linwood (4hrs)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fourhour afternoon walleye trolling on Saginaw Bay watersPremium gear and live bait provided aboard 26foot cabin cruiserPrivate charter accommodates up to three guests with experienced captain
If you're looking for consistent walleye action without burning a whole day on the water, this afternoon charter on Saginaw Bay hits the sweet spot. Captain Jay runs these 4-hour trips from May through October, and trust me, the 3:00 PM start time isn't random – that's when the walleye bite really turns on in these waters. You'll be fishing from a solid 26-foot Trophy walkaround that handles Saginaw Bay's chop like a dream, powered by a reliable 250HP Mercury that gets you to the fish fast and keeps you comfortable all afternoon.
This is a private charter for up to three anglers, so you're not sharing space with strangers or fighting over the best spots on the boat. Captain Jay knows Saginaw Bay like the back of his hand – we're talking decades of experience reading these waters, tracking seasonal patterns, and finding where the walleye are holding. The Trophy walkaround gives you plenty of room to move around, and that cabin comes in handy when the wind picks up or you need a break from the sun. You'll launch right from Linwood, which puts you within minutes of prime walleye structure. No long runs burning fuel and time – just quality fishing from the moment lines hit the water. The captain provides all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to tackle and live bait, so you can focus on what matters: catching fish. Just grab your drinks, pack some snacks, and make sure you've got that Michigan fishing license.
Trolling is the name of the game on Saginaw Bay, and Captain Jay has this technique dialed in. You'll be running planer boards to spread your lines wide and cover maximum water, pulling everything from crawler harnesses to crankbaits depending on what the fish are hitting. The boat's setup is perfect for this style of fishing – downriggers, planer boards, and quality rod holders that let you run multiple lines without tangles. Speed control is crucial for walleye trolling, and this Mercury engine gives you the precise throttle control needed to stay in that sweet spot between 1.5 and 2.5 mph. The captain reads his electronics constantly, watching for baitfish, structure, and temperature breaks that hold walleye. When you mark fish, he'll circle back and work the area until you connect. Live bait makes all the difference out here – fresh crawlers and minnows that walleye can't resist. You'll learn to read the rods, feel the subtle taps, and set the hook when a walleye picks up your offering.
Walleye are the main target and for good reason – Saginaw Bay produces some of Michigan's best walleye fishing. These fish typically run 2 to 5 pounds, with plenty of keepers in the 15 to 20-inch range and enough big ones to keep things interesting. Spring and fall are peak times when walleye move shallow and feed aggressively, but summer fishing stays consistent if you know where to look. What makes walleye so special is that perfect combination of great fight and even better eating – they're not going to jump like a bass, but they pull hard and make long runs that test your drag. Plus, there's nothing like a fresh walleye fillet for dinner. The afternoon timing works perfectly because walleye often turn on as the sun starts to drop, especially during summer when they've been holding deeper during the heat of the day.
American Yellow Perch show up as bonus fish throughout the season, and honestly, many anglers get just as excited about them as the walleye. These aren't your typical small pond perch – Saginaw Bay perch run big, with 10 to 12-inch fish common and some pushing 14 inches. They school up tight, so when you find them, you can catch them fast. Perch are most active during spring and fall, often mixing with walleye over the same structure. They're aggressive biters that hit hard and fight surprisingly well for their size. Like walleye, perch are fantastic eating, and many guides consider them pound-for-pound one of the best fish in the Great Lakes for the dinner table. Kids especially love catching perch because the action can be non-stop when you locate a school.
This half-day afternoon trip gives you the best of both worlds – serious fishing without the commitment of a full day charter. The 3:00 PM start time means you can sleep in, grab lunch, and still get quality time on the water when the fish are biting. Captain Jay's local knowledge and top-rated equipment make this a customer favorite for both experienced anglers and families just getting into Great Lakes fishing. With the season running from May through October, you've got plenty of opportunities to get out there, but the best dates fill up fast. Whether you're looking to put fish in the cooler or just enjoy some quality time on Saginaw Bay, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait – book your spot and get ready to see why walleye fishing on Saginaw Bay keeps anglers coming back year after year.
This 26' Trophy walkaround cabin cruiser is built for serious walleye action on Saginaw Bay. With a powerful 250HP Mercury engine pushing you to fishing spots at 42 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water instead of getting there. The enclosed cabin keeps you comfortable when the weather kicks up, while the walk-around design gives you plenty of room to work fish and move around the boat. Inside you'll find a fish finder to locate those walleye schools, GPS to mark your hot spots, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The onboard toilet and bed mean you can focus on fishing without worrying about comfort. Perfect for up to 3 anglers who want a solid platform for trolling the productive waters around Linwood. This boat handles both the open bay and nearshore areas where walleye love to hang out.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are one of Saginaw Bay's most reliable targets, typically running 7-10 inches with that classic golden color and dark vertical bars. These schooling fish love structure - you'll find them around weed beds, docks, and drop-offs in 8-20 feet of water. Spring through fall fishing is solid, but they really turn on during cooler months when they pack into tight schools. What makes perch special is the steady action - where you catch one, there's usually a dozen more. Plus, they're absolutely delicious table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My local trick: once you find a school, drop a small jig tipped with a minnow or piece of crawler right back down the same hole. Those perch will keep biting as long as you keep your bait in the strike zone.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the prize fish of Saginaw Bay, averaging 15-20 inches with those signature glowing eyes that help them hunt in low light. They cruise deeper waters during the day, typically 12-25 feet, relating to structure like rock piles and weed edges before moving shallow to feed at dusk. Late spring through early fall offers prime fishing, especially during overcast conditions or that magic hour before sunset. What draws anglers back is the combination - walleye fight hard with powerful runs, and they're hands-down the best eating fish in these waters. That firm, mild white meat is pure gold on the dinner table. Here's a local secret: when trolling, slow way down near structure changes. Walleye often suspend just off bottom transitions, and a crawler harness pulled at 1.5 mph will trigger strikes when faster speeds won't.
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