Thumbs Up Charter Services - Thumbs Up Charter LLC

08/23/2026

Thumbs Up Charters Supports the Michigan Angler Consortium

Fellow anglers and supporters of Great Lakes sport fishing,

For decades, Michigan anglers relied on traditional statewide organizations to carry the flag in Lansing. But with the 89 year old Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) now defunct, our sport fishing community has been left without the strong, dedicated legislative voice we critically need at the Capitol.

Decisions regarding fisheries management, resource allocation, access rights, and conservation funding are happening right now. If we don’t have a seat at the table, our interests simply won’t be represented.

That is why Thumbs Up Charter Services is standing firmly behind the Michigan Anglers Consortium.

The Consortium was built specifically to ensure that sport fishermen, charter captains, and everyday recreational anglers have solid, unwavering representation where policy is made. They are focused 100% on protecting our fisheries, defending our rights on the water, and keeping Lansing accountable to the people who actually use and care for these resources.

We need every angler—whether you fish Saginaw Bay on the weekends, troll the big lake, or hit your local inland waters—to step up and get involved.

Check them out and join today: https://mianglers.com/

Let’s protect the future of Michigan fishing together.

From the trout streams of the Upper Peninsula to the open water of the Great Lakes, Michigan's fishing community has always carried more than one current. MAC is bringing those voices together.

08/19/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EagdUwLvn/

08/19/2026

Saginaw Bay Walleye Fishing Report – August 19, 2026

Late summer heat has pushed water temperatures into the low 80s around Wildfowl Bay and across the top of the Slot, scattering fish and shifting the most reliable action toward cooler, deeper water and outer bay structure.

Outer Saginaw Bay:
Big Charity Island: Producing the week’s best catches. Solid walleye (18+ inches) are holding tight to the shallow cobble rock shoreline in 10 feet of water.

North Side of Big Charity: Continuing to yield decent fish in the Steeples Area.

Navigation warning: Commercial trap nets are actively set in this zone and frequently shift position from day to day—keep a sharp eye out for net flags when trolling through.

Lower Saginaw Bay:
Sunset Bay Marina to Fish Point: Action has slowed to a sporadic bite, but patient anglers are picking up a mixed bag of walleye and yellow perch in 15 to 20 feet of water.

Presentation & Top Patterns:
Lures: Nightcrawler harnesses remain the dominant setup across the bay.

Top Colors:

- Wonder bread
- Mountain Dew (chartreuse/green patterns)
- Red/White/Blue blade schemes

Always make safety your top priority: thoroughly check all your equipment before leaving the dock, ensure you have a VHF radio in good working order, and file a float plan with a family member or friend on shore. Review and watch the weather for the quickly changing conditions that Saginaw Bay is famous for.

Wishing you tight lines and great times on our Great Lakes,

Capt. Karl Burnside

06/04/2026

Saginaw Bay Walleye Fishing Report June 4, 2026

Saginaw Bay Fishing Report 🎣

Walleye fishing in eastern Saginaw Bay is good this week from Sunset Bay Marina to just south of the Sebewaing Harbor Marina (Fish Point).

Walleye are showing up in good numbers in 15 to 18 feet of water in the slot on the east side of the bar. We’ve been pulling crawler harnesses, and the standout colors producing well this week are Wonder Bread, Perch, and Mountain Dew.

Contact us today for a charter reservation at (810) 513-6073.

Wishing you the very best for tight lines and great times!

Capt. Karl Burnside

12/07/2025

05/19/2025

5/19/2025 SAGINAW BAY FISHING REPORT

Walleye are starting to show up in lower Saginaw Bay. Good fishing was found early last week in the southeast corner of the bay between the Coreyon Reef and Sunset Bay marina in 12-15 feet of water.

After the "Big" thunderstorms moved through on Thursday evening, fishing became a bit scattered, but Walleye were again found on the eastern edge of the slot between Sunset Bay Marina and Fish Point. We also landed a few very nice Northern Pike.

Hot crawler harness colors were Wonder Breads and what I call "Miss America" (red/white/blue) blades.

We are open for the season and would love to take you for a Saginaw Bay fishing adventure! Give us a call at (810) 513-6073 to make your reservation today!

Wishing you tight lines and great times on Saginaw Bay,

Captain Karl Burnside

We offer sport fishing charters by reservation out of our home port of Sebewaing Harbor Marina, and

07/26/2024

Walleye fishing is sporadic on the east side of Saginaw Bay. Some fish can be found in the upper slot by Sand Point off Wildfowl Bay in 12-16 feet of water. Water temp on bottom was measured at 76 degrees. Fish were su...

07/26/2024

Lansing Michigan -

01/10/2024

Calling all 3rd -12th grade classroom teachers!

Join our Salmon in the Classroom program starting the 2024-25 school year. Applications are open Jan. 1 - April 15.

Students raise Chinook salmon from egg to smolt in their classrooms while learning about Great Lakes ecology, food webs, invasive species, and many more topics.

Find out more at Michigan.gov/SIC

06/01/2023

Walleye fishing has been excellent for the past 3 weeks on Saginaw Bay with limit catches on 5 trips. We have had success in the Slot in 16-18 feet of water from Fish Point to Middle Grounds Island. Crawler harness hot ...