Veterans Memorial Park

During the spring walleye run, this stretch of the Saginaw River gets absolutely packed — 500 boats on the water isn't an exaggeration. Eight lanes and 99 trailer spots handle it surprisingly well. Even on peak weekends, you can usually get launched without a brutal wait if you show up before 7 AM.

There's a staging pier right at the launch, so you can get your boat off the trailer and tie up while your partner parks. Makes a huge difference when all eight lanes are running during tournament weekends or the walleye run.

The parking lots and drives inside the park are beat up — potholes and crumbling edges. Take it slow if you're pulling a heavy rig. Nothing that'll strand you, but your trailer will bounce around more than you'd like.

Most people think walleye here, but the drum fishing is legitimately world-class, and the channel catfish run big — 5-pounders are common. Bank fishing along the park is productive too, especially downriver of the launch. Great spot if you don't have a boat.

Park hours are 6 AM to 10 PM, administered by Bay City. There's some adjacent private property that borders the park with no clear signage, and you might get an earful if you wander onto it. Stick to the obvious park areas and the marked launch and you'll be fine.