Sauger

Name:

Sauger

Scientific Name:

Stizostedion canadense

Characteristics:

The sauger (Sander canadensis) is a freshwater perciform fish of the family Percidae which resembles its close relative the walleye. Saugers, however, are usually smaller and will tolerate waters of higher turbidity than will the walleye. In many parts of their range, saugers are sympatric with walleyes. They may be distinguished from walleyes by the distinctly spotted dorsal fin, by the lack of a white splotch on the caudal fin, by the rough skin over their gill, and by their generally more brassy color, or darker (almost black) color in some regions.

Hybridization between saugers and walleyes is not unknown; the hybrids, referred to as saugeyes, exhibit traits of both species. Being intermediate in appearance between the two species, saugeyes are sometimes difficult to differentiate, but they generally carry the dark blotches characteristic of the sauger.

Adult Size:

The average sauger in an angler's creel is 300 to 400 g (0.75 to 1 lbs) in weight but the world record was 8.1 kg (17 lbs, 12 ounces.)

Fishing Tactics:

Tips:

Needle-nose fisherman’s pliers will be helpful to remove hooks from a mouth full of teeth.

During high flows, Sauger tend to stay out of strong current. During high flows at lock and dam tailwaters, sauger move out of strong current behind the lock walls and on the slack water shoreline behind the lock. The will also concentrate near shore along rip rap, trees and other woody debris.

During low flows, sauger tend to move off shore to deeper flats. Deeper water along lock walls also holds fish at low flow.

Remember, as water temperature increases by May, sauger disperse away from the tailwaters and move “down pool” to confluences, tributary streams and islands.

Lower water temperatures in the fall, winter and early spring concentrate sauger at the tailwaters and near shore (<12 feet

Check for near shore movement to shallower water at dawn, dusk and after dark. Daytime angling, especially in clear water, should be in deeper water. Sauger will move in shallow during the day in muddy conditions; however, the best fishing near shore is at night and ½ hour after sunrise and ½ hour before sunset.

Tackle: Medium to light weight open face spinning rod and reel equipped with 8-12 pound test “high abrasion” resistant line.

Distribution:

Saugers are more typical of rivers whereas walleyes are more common in lakes and reservoirs. The sauger is highly prized as a food fish.