Thousands of fishermen and pleasure boaters are attracted to the many excellent marinas, campgrounds, and recreational facilities that are available around Saginaw Bay. Saginaw Bay is considered one of the most productive and fertile fisheries of the Great Lakes. Saginaw Bay is a large, relatively shallow basin along the western shore of Lake Huron that has become one of the nation's top walleye fisheries. A combination of national walleye fishing tournaments and the outdoor media have focused attention on excellent fishing. After spawning, walleye and perch move downstream and back into the bay. During summer, as the inner bay warms, walleye begin a slow movement toward the cooler water of the outer bay. In late fall, the movement of pre-spawn walleye occurs up the Saginaw River. Fingerling plantings in the late 1970s are given credit for re-establishing the Saginaw Bay walleye population. Currently, walleye and yellow perch fishing dominate the fishery and are by far the most commonly sought-after species. Recent surveys have shown that walleye growth rates are some of the highest in the Midwest. The studies also revealed walleye can reach the legal minimum size of 15 inches after just two growing seasons with most requiring three seasons to grow into the 17-to-18 inch category.