Sauger

The sauger is closely related to the walleye, and the two appear almost identical.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A SAUGER

They can be distinguished by several factors, most noticeably, the sauger has distinct dark spots on the dorsal fin. The walleye may have dark streaks or blotches on the dorsal fin, but they are less distinct than the spots of the sauger and may not be present. Also, the walleye has one large dark blotch at the base of the last few spines of the dorsal fin, which is not present in the sauger. The sauger has 17-20 soft-rays in the second dorsal fin versus 19-22 in the walleye. Identification is complicated by the fact that the sauger is known to hybridize in nature with the walleye. This hybrid is commonly referred to as a saugeye. The sauger is also smaller than the walleye.

 

WHERE TO CATCH SAUGER

The sauger has a general distribution in Canada and the U.S. from Quebec to Tennessee and Arkansas, and from northwestward through Montana to about central Alberta. Between Alberta and Quebec it occurs in southern Saskatchewan and Ontario and throughout the Great Lakes to James Bay. It does not occur east of the Appalachians or much south of Tennessee except in a few drainages where it has been introduced, principally from the Carolinas around through the lower coastal states to as far as Texas on the Gulf. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

 

CLIFFS AND STEEP SHORE BANKS           GRADUAL SHORES

INLETS AND OUTLETS                                     ISLANDS OR SAND BARS

OPEN WATER                                      POINTS AND BREAK LINES

DAMS AND FALLS                                          SPRING HOLES

WALKWAYS AND BRIDGES                     HOLES

FRESHWATER LAKES AND PONDS           INSIDE TURNS AND COVES

LILY PADS                                                     PIERS, DOCKS AND PILINGS

ROCKS                                                SHORELINE SHALLOWS

SUNKEN OBJECTS                                          FRESHWATER WEED BEDS

 

HOW TO CATCH SAUGER

The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

DRIFT FISHING                                              STILL FISHING

TROLLING

 

SAUGER LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

JIGS                                                             MINNOWS

SPINNER BAITS                                          LEECHES

PLUGS                                                         SPOONS