What to say about Sauger? The main question is often whether they should be considered second to Walleye or if they’re worthy sport fish in their own right. Known to lurk in the shadows, these fish rarely take the spotlight. But anyone who’s tried Sauger will tell you they taste divine. What’s more, they’re aggressive eaters and will bite on days when Walleye don’t. The extra challenge of digging deep for them makes Sauger fishing that much more interesting to some anglers.
We couldn’t tell you one way or the other if these dark-dwelling fish outshine Walleye. What we can tell you, though, is everything you need to know in order to catch one! Then, you can decide for yourself…
How to Identify Sauger
Sauger (Sander canadensis) are native to the Midwest, Central, and South US, as well as the southern reaches of Canada. They inhabit many of the same areas as Walleye, though Walleye prefer lakes while Sauger like rivers.
They’re highly sensitive to light and will evade the sun’s reach as much as possible, which is why you’ll usually find them in muddy waters, either lying belly-to-bottom or tucked away in deep holes. It’s often said that where there’s Walleye, there’s Sauger swimming a few feet below!
Despite their elusive nature, Sauger migrate hundreds of miles to spawn. Depending on the area, they travel upstream sometime between March and May, then downstream between April and July.
In addition to calling many of the same waters home, Sauger and Walleye look a lot alike. Both are long, slender fish with forked tails and large eyes that allow them to see in dark waters. But, there are a few key differences to help you tell them apart:
- Color. Sauger are brown or brassy with dark blotches, whereas Walleye are green and have no markings.
- Dorsal fin. The first dorsal fin on a Sauger is spiny with black spots. Walleye have no spots on their fins.
- Tail. The bottom fin on a Walleye’s tail is tipped with white. Sauger tails are one color.
Now, things do get confusing when these fish cross-breed. Then you have what’s called a Saugeye, which looks a little bit like mom and a little bit like dad, featuring dark blotches as well as a white-tipped tail. If you’re curious to learn more about this whole family of fish, see our post on the differences between Sauger and Walleye.
Some anglers actively target Saugeye along with Walleye but, generally speaking, you aren’t likely to find both on the end of your line simply because Walleye and Sauger spend their time in different honey holes.
Best Sauger Fishing Spots
So, if Sauger are basically deep-water Walleye, can you catch them in all the same places?
Not exactly. Renowned Walleye spots like Lake Erie technically hold Sauger, but few fanatics will point you in that direction. Once again, these fish prefer their own type of habitat, and there’s a whole list of waters where you’ll find them:
Illinois River
The Illinois River winds its way over 270 miles, beginning south of Chicago and eventually joining the Mississippi River. It’s known to be a real Sauger (and Walleye) factory between February and May. Peak season typically occurs in March and April, but this varies from year to year depending on how harsh the winter is. If it’s mild enough, you can go fishing year-round.
The Illinois River mainly runs through central Illinois, but also reaches parts of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. Illinois’s regulations allow anglers to keep up to six Sauger, Walleye, Saugeye, or a combination of these. Each fish must be 14 inches or longer.
Lake of the Woods
Ice fishing on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods is a winter activity that often lasts until April. Most anglers are eager to hook Walleye during that time, but Sauger are just as abundant and will take your bait when Walleye won’t. They’ll keep you busy on the ice and make a tasty reward as you warm your fingers by the fire that night. Their tendency to save the day (or at least your fishing trip) has made them a LOTW favorite.
Anglers fishing Lake of the Woods can keep a combination of six Sauger and Walleye per day – of which no more than four can be Walleye.
Lake Pepin (Mississippi River)
Lake Pepin is the yin to LOTW’s yang, offering Minnesotan anglers great Sauger action in summer. The season typically heats up in March or April and runs through fall. The bite here is known to be consistently strong, so if you’re in the market for Sauger, place your bets on Pepin. You can find a local guide out of Lake City, MN, or Pepin, WI.
The Sauger season in Minnesota’s waters opens in May and lasts through February the following year.
Ohio River
Remember how we said that Lake Erie specifically is not a Sauger hot spot? Well, it used to be, along with the connecting Ohio River and its tributaries. These fish still thrive in this river, which stretches close to 1,000 miles and graces six states.
Some of the best-known Sauger spots on the river can be found in Kentucky, specifically around the McAlpine Lock and Dam in Louisville, and below Meldahl Lock and Dam near Foster. Peak Sauger fishing on the Ohio River usually begins in September and runs through spring.
Regulations on the Ohio River allow up to six Sauger, Walleye, Saugeye, or a combination of them per day. The minimum size limit is 14 inches.
Old Hickory Reservoir
Tennessee‘s tailraces are rife with Sauger. Top recommendations include the tailwaters of Pickwick, Cheatham, Cordell Hull, Watts Bar, Melton Hill, and Fort Loudoun. However, one name you’ll often hear above the rest is Old Hickory Reservoir.
The Reservoir is owned by the US Army Corps of Engineers but offers 44 free public boat access sites which anglers can make use of. The upper stretch from Hunter’s Point to Cordell Hull Dam boasts prime Sauger fishing early each year, from January through March.
The Sauger possession limit in Old Hickory Reservoir is 10 fish per day, with a minimum size limit of 15 inches.
How to Fish for Sauger
Sun-shy as they are, Sauger usually lie low in the muddy waters of tributaries, lakes, and rivers. If they can’t find a cozy hole to hide in, they take cover under vegetation. As the sun slips below the horizon, they venture into the shallows, which is the ideal time to catch them from shore. With a boat, you can access them in deeper parts of a lake or river.
Big Sauger often feed in the same spots as Walleye, just earlier or later in the day, or during overcast periods. Seek them out near structure like ledges, shelves, drop-offs, or humps. Current breaks caused by rocks or opposing currents also draw them in.
Since Sauger almost always stick to the bottom, the most popular way to fish for them is vertical jigging. Heavy hair jigs are the most common choice (¾ to 1 ounce, or even up to 2 ounces), often tipped with a minnow so that the scent can entice Sauger to your hook in the murky waters they prefer.
If the fish aren’t biting at first, try jigging in different speeds and motions – exactly what Sauger will go for can vary from day to day. Sometimes adding a rattle to your jig will get their attention.
In northern waters, trolling is another common method of catching Sauger. The Lindy rig, which is popular for Walleye, works well. Use this rig to troll a shiner at about 1.5 miles per hour, with your line at a 45-degree angle so the bait can occasionally bounce off the bottom. You can also try trolling a small, minnow-style lure.
In some conditions, drift fishing and still fishing also produce Sauger. Shore anglers often use an egg sinker to keep their bait in place at the bottom.
Sauger Fishing Gear & Bait
Sauger fanatics typically recommend spinning gear over baitcasting due to the sensitivity of a spinning rod. Though they’re aggressive eaters, Sauger bite softly and you may not know you have one on the end of your line until you lift the jig up again. You’ll be well served by a stiff, 6–6.5′ rod paired with a medium-action spinning reel and 6–10 lb test mono line.
Minnows are the most popular Sauger bait but, depending on the season, you can also use night crawlers, shad, crayfish, leeches, or frogs. Top lures include brightly colored jigs (such as hair jigs and feather jigs), spoons, plugs, bucktails, and spinnerbaits.
When to Fish for Sauger
Peak Sauger season varies depending on the area. In many waters, such as the Mississippi River, the best time to fish for them is spring as they make their way upstream to spawn. This can fall anywhere from March to June. Sometimes anglers catch a second run in the fall as the fish return downstream.
Other hot spots, like Lake of the Woods and Old Hickory Reservoir, experience their best Sauger fishing at the start of the year, so anglers consider this a winter fish.
Wherever you cast your line, be sure to check local regulations so you know whether it’s legal to keep your catch, as well as the size and possession limits.
Sauger: Second to (n)one?
Sauger may be smaller than Walleye and harder to track down, but they offer a similar angling experience and taste just as good on your dinner plate.
We won’t claim that both species are created equal, nor can we promise that Sauger will make you forget about Walleye anytime soon. But it’s worth bringing them out of the shadows because they can turn a slow day of fishing around. Once you know what you’ve been missing, it’s hard to pass up on Sauger fishing!
Are you a Sauger angler? Did you mistake your first catch for a Walleye? We’d love to hear all your stories in the comments below!
The post How to Go Sauger Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2024 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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