5.0(3 Reviews)5 Hour Private Saginaw Bay Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour private charter targeting Walleye and Yellow PerchAll fishing gear and supplies provided by experienced crewAccommodates up to four guests on Saginaw Bay waters
Saginaw Bay has earned its reputation as one of Michigan's premier walleye and perch destinations, and this 5-hour private charter puts you right in the heart of the action. Captain Doug and his crew have been working these waters for years, and they know exactly where the fish are holding throughout the season. You'll fish from a well-equipped boat with all the gear provided, so all you need to bring is your fishing license and excitement for what's sure to be a productive day on the water. The bay's protected waters offer comfortable fishing conditions, making this trip perfect for both seasoned anglers and folks just getting into the sport.
Your charter begins early when the fish are most active, and Captain Doug will have you positioned over prime structure before most recreational anglers even launch their boats. The beauty of Saginaw Bay lies in its diverse fishing opportunities – you'll work shallow flats where perch school up in massive numbers, then move to deeper drop-offs where walleye patrol for an easy meal. The bay's protected nature means you're not fighting big waves, so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat. With a maximum of 4 anglers, everyone gets plenty of attention and coaching from the crew. They'll adjust techniques throughout the day based on what the fish are telling them, whether that means switching lure colors, adjusting trolling speeds, or moving to entirely new structure.
Captain Doug runs a trolling program that's been refined through countless hours on Saginaw Bay's waters. You'll typically start with crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers, a deadly combination for walleye that are hugging the bottom. The crew provides quality rods spooled with fresh line, and they'll show you the proper trolling technique that keeps your bait in the strike zone. For perch fishing, you'll switch to lighter tackle with small jigs tipped with minnows or worms. The key is reading the electronics and understanding how fish relate to structure – Captain Doug excels at breaking down what you're seeing on the fish finder and explaining why fish position themselves in certain areas. All bait, tackle, and ice are included, plus the crew handles all the net work so you can focus on fighting your fish.
"Our fishing trip with Capt Doug was amazing! We all had a blast and caught a boatload of walleye! Capt Doug and 1st Mate Ken really know what they're doing and their boat was perfect for the 6 of us!" - Mike "The day was sunny with mild temperatures, and we were ready to fish for walleye. It started out slow but as the day went on, we were catching walleye. Captain Doug and first mate, Ken, definitely knew where the fish were. We plan to book again. Thanks guys!" - Barbara "Went out on a full day trip with Captain Doug and First Mate Greg on June 19, 2022. Trolled for Walleye. It was the first calm day after several days of high winds, and the fishing was challenging. We were still able to catch our 3-person limit of Walleye, when other boats were struggling. Captain Doug provides a first-rate charter service. If there are fish to be caught, he'll do everything he can to put you on them." - Erik
American Yellow Perch are the bread and butter of Saginaw Bay fishing, and for good reason. These fish school up in massive numbers during the warmer months, often stacking so thick on the fish finder that it looks like a solid wall. Perch typically range from 8 to 12 inches in the bay, with some jumbo specimens pushing 14 inches and weighing over a pound. They're most active during morning and evening hours, feeding aggressively on small minnows and invertebrates around weed beds and rocky structure. What makes perch fishing so addictive is the constant action – when you find a school, you can literally catch fish on every drop. Plus, they're absolutely delicious table fare, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a fish fry back home.
Walleye are the crown jewel of Saginaw Bay, and these fish have made the bay famous among serious anglers across the Great Lakes region. The bay's walleye typically run 16 to 24 inches, with trophy fish over 28 inches caught regularly throughout the season. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer fishing can be phenomenal when you know the right depths and structure to target. Walleye are notorious for being finicky, which is exactly why having Captain Doug's expertise matters so much. These fish move frequently based on weather, water temperature, and forage availability. One day they might be suspended over deep water, the next they're tight to shallow rock piles. Walleye fight with surprising power for their size, making long runs and using their body weight to stay deep. They're also considered the ultimate eating fish, with firm white fillets that taste incredible no matter how you prepare them.
Saginaw Bay fishing doesn't get much better than this – a top-rated charter service with proven results and all the gear you need for a successful day. Captain Doug's track record speaks for itself, consistently putting clients on fish even when conditions get tough. The 5-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to target both species and really get a feel for what Saginaw Bay fishing is all about. With only 4 spots available, this charter fills up fast, especially during prime fishing months. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what makes Saginaw Bay one of Michigan's most productive fisheries. Book your charter today and get ready for the kind of fishing day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
The 30ft Sea Ray Cruiser "Windrift" is your floating base camp for chasing Walleye and Yellow Perch across Saginaw Bay's productive waters. This spacious motorboat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers with twin engines that'll get you to the hotspots quickly. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on schools without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder keep you on top of structure and suspended fish. Between fishing runs, take advantage of the onboard kitchen and bed for those longer days when the bite is hot. With a live well to keep your catch fresh, outriggers for spreading lines, and plenty of deck space for fighting fish, Windrift has everything you need for a successful day targeting Saginaw Bay's famous Walleye and tasty Yellow Perch. The stable platform makes it easy to work jigs and rigs in the bay's varying depths.
Perca FlavescensYellow perch are the bread and butter of Saginaw Bay fishing - they're plentiful, fun to catch, and absolutely delicious on the table. These golden fish with dark vertical stripes typically run 7-10 inches, though we occasionally see some pushing a foot long. They school up in huge numbers around weed beds and structure in 8-20 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime time, but they bite year-round. What makes perch special is how consistent they are - when you find a school, you can usually fill the cooler. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for a fish fry. My go-to tip: once you catch one, drop your line right back down in the same spot. Where there's one perch, there's usually fifty more waiting below.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the prize catch in Saginaw Bay - those big silver eyes aren't just for show, they help these fish hunt in low light conditions. Most walleye we catch run 15-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. They like sand and gravel bottoms in 12-25 feet of water, hanging around drop-offs and weed edges during the day. Evening and early morning are prime time when they move shallow to feed. What makes walleye so sought after is simple: they're hands down one of the best eating fish in freshwater. The meat is firm, white, and mild with no fishy taste. Here's a local secret - when trolling crawler harnesses, slow down more than you think. These fish want that bait crawling along bottom, not racing by.
5.0 out of 5.0Our fishing trip with Capt Doug was amazing! We all had a blast and caught a boatload of walleye! Capt Doug and 1st Mate Ken reall...
The day was sunny with mild temperatures, and we were ready to fish for walleye. It started out slow but as the day went on, we we...
Went out on a full day trip with Captain Doug and First Mate Greg on June 19, 2022. Trolled for Walleye. It was the first calm day...
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