Living on the Saginaw Bay shore

Arenac County’s whole eastern edge is Lake Huron — specifically Saginaw Bay — and the shoreline is one of the big reasons people move here. The coast is mostly wooded and lined with year-round homes and cottages, many with their own beach access and docks. A couple of public boat launches and a handful of small parks fill in the gaps, and the city of Au Gres has a marina with a channel into town.

The draw is the water itself. Saginaw Bay brings anglers for walleye and perch, and the public launches here put boats close to productive fishing water. That is why Au Gres is such a busy fishing port. The bay is shallow and warm, so it also draws boaters and swimmers.

A few things for buyers to keep in mind on the shore: Great Lakes water levels rise and fall over the years, which affects beaches, docks, and erosion, so it’s smart to ask about a property’s shoreline history. Most shore homes are on a private well and septic (see the township note). And if you’ll be eating what you catch, it’s worth checking the state’s Saginaw Bay fish-eating guidelines — the bay has long-standing advisories for certain fish.