Anybody know what the Saginaw River looks like now and any guesses on what it will look like after the warmer weather and rain this week? Will we be able to get the boats back out?

Beer.
I'm thinking you'll be able to launch at the Lee Street ramp within the next few days, (if its not already open enough) especially if we get rain. The Saginaw was open in many areas yesterday. Last nights freeze may have kept it stiff, but if we get the warm weather and rain their calling for in the next 3 days, fill your outboards now. Of course that to may be short lived with more freezing stuff on the horizon. Just pray its not a screwed up as last year season.

What is the water level/flow right now?

Marbleyes.
The flow, if you'd call it that is minimal. All the feeder rivers, the Shiawassee, Bad, Cass, Flint and Tittabawassee are in bad shape, water wise. Even the ground water is at an all time low, according to the Dam Master at Sandford. I could see my jig on the Saginaw last Thursday some 3 to 4 feet down, and it took that much line to have the current take it downstream and out of the view of the 8 inch hole I cut. When's the last time you seen that?

Beer- Don`t believe everything You`ve read in the above threads! Capt. Dan, must be looking at a different area of the River than I. Saturday at the Split (old Wickes Park area), there was atleast 200 people down to Lee St. Ramp. I Personaly fished an area downstream from there Saturday & Sunday morning on 5" to 6" of good CLEAR-SOLID ice! The water is exteremly clear- You can see a spoon down 4' to 5'. Yes there are lots of eater size Males beeing caught, plus some bigger ones too! Yes, there is some open water from the Stone Yards towards Bay City. Shipping still active. River ice scares the sh$^ out of Me I`m allways very carefull and would`nt be out there on shakey ice. With this rain coming, PLEASE be carefull. Bob WC#253.

Bob.
Chamook may be right. I have not fished the Saginaw since last Thursday. I did fish just below Genessee Bridge Wednesady and the ice sure didn't seem 5 to 6 inches thick to me, especially in the middle. And it was definatley thinner near the Temple Theater on Thursday in town. I didn't say the Lee street ramp was open now, but sure may be after the next two days of predicted rain and 40+ degree weather. Not to mention the S SE 20 to 30 MPH winds predicted that will surely drop the water levels and may colapse the shore ice again. The Gordonville Ramp near Midland has been open for 3 days now.

Capt.Dan- Was just giving an option on what I personaly saw and experianced. I believe that it`s going to be moot point with this rain and warm temps! Geez- finnaly get some ice and now it will be messed up. Guess We`ll have to get the boats back out! Anybody thinking of heading to the River, Please think and be SAFE. We`ll have to meet up and fish sometime Dan. Bob.

Bob.
I'd be honored. Can never have enough walleye informants:-).