EXHIBIT 5.1

May 31, 2005

Saga Communications, Inc.
73 Kercheval Avenue
Grosse Pointe, Michigan 48236

Dear Sir/Madam:

We have served as counsel to Saga Communications, Inc. (the "Company") in
connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement (Form S-8) to be
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, representing the issuance in the manner
described in the Registration Statement of up to 1,500,000 shares of the
Company's Class A Common Stock and 500,000 shares of the Company's Class B
Common Stock, and 500,000 shares of the Company's Class A Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Class B Common Stock pursuant to the Company's 2005
Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan").

We have examined such certificates, instruments and documents and reviewed such
questions of law as we have considered necessary or appropriate for the purposes
of our opinion hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures and the authenticity of all documents submitted to
us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted
to us as copies. As to any facts material to the opinions expressed herein which
we have not independently established or verified, we have relied upon
statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the
Company and others.

Our opinion expressed below is subject to the qualifications that we express no
opinion as to the applicability of, compliance with, or effect of any laws
except the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Based upon such examination and review, we are of the opinion that the Class A
Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock registered by the Registration
Statement, when issued and paid for as contemplated in the Plan, assuming due
execution of the certificates therefor, will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we
are within the category of person whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission
thereunder.

This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion
may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein. We assume no



Saga Communications, Inc.
May 31, 2005
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obligation to revise or supplement this opinion should the current Delaware
General Corporation Law be changed by legislative action, judicial decision or
other.

This opinion is furnished to you solely for your benefit to be used by you in
connection with the filing of the Registration Statement and is not to be used,
circulated, quoted or otherwise relied upon by any other person or by you for
any other purpose.

                                                    Very truly yours,

                                                    BODMAN LLP

                                                    By: /s/ Fred B. Green
                                                        ------------------------
                                                        Fred B. Green, a partner