Sauger fishing
Sander canadensis. Three or more rows of distinct dark spots on the spiny first dorsal fin, unlike walleye's single solid dark blotch at its base.
Sauger fishing uses a minnow, at dawn, during the day, at dusk, and at night. Sauger shows up just once in Michigan's own stocking records, a single 1988 release of 58,000 fish into Torch Lake in Houghton County, far more limited than the state's ongoing walleye program.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 21, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- Dawn, Day, Dusk, and Night
- Line
- –
- Hook sizes
- –
- Stocked in
- 6 states
Identification
- Three or more rows of distinct dark spots on the spiny first dorsal fin, unlike walleye's single solid dark blotch at its base.
- Fully scaled cheeks and dark saddle-shaped blotches across the back and sides, unlike walleye's mostly bare cheeks.
- Lower lobe of the tail fin lacks the white tip that marks walleye, or shows only a faint trace of it.
- Slimmer, more slender build than walleye and usually smaller, commonly under 20 inches and 2-3 lbs.
Sources: mdc.mo.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , fw.ky.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , gf.nd.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , gfp.sd.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 21, 2026
Top baits
Trolled slowly along the bottom in swift, rocky water just below navigation dams, the standard producer for the fall sauger run into freeze-up.
Sources: mdc.mo.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , fw.ky.gov, accessed September 21, 2026
Line & tackle
- Rod power
Stocked behavior
Sauger shows up just once in Michigan's own stocking records, a single 1988 release of 58,000 fish into Torch Lake in Houghton County, far more limited than the state's ongoing walleye program. Where sauger stocking still happens today it is mostly to rebuild river runs cut off by dams, such as the Allegheny River program that supplements a run the Kinzua Dam blocks from reaching New York.
Common mistakes
- Working open, lake-style water; on the upper Mississippi most sauger fishing is minnows trolled slowly over the bottom in swift, rocky water below dams.
- Passing up murky, turbid stretches; sauger are most active during low light periods or during daylight in highly turbid water.
- Fishing away from shoals, stream mouths and dam tailwaters in early spring; sauger congregate there during spawning runs.
Where it's stocked
7 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
Michigan
Montana
New York
Texas
Wisconsin
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 3.38 lbs | Jeff Riddle | Horseshoe Reservoir | 2011 |
| Kentucky | 7.44 lbs | Rastie Andrew Jamestown, KY | Cumberland River | 1983 |
| Michigan | 6.56 lbs | – | Torch Lake, Houghton County | 1976 |
| Montana | 8.805 lbs. | Gene Moore | Fort Peck Reservoir | 1994 |
| Virginia | 3 lbs. | Ronald C. Davis | Clinch River | 2010 |
| Wisconsin | 6 lbs. 6.7 oz. | – | Mississippi River, Pierce County | 2009 |
| Wyoming | 7.50 lbs. | Tom Durst - Casper, WY | Boysen Reservoir, Fremont County | 2007 |
Common questions
What bait works for Sauger?
Minnow: Trolled slowly along the bottom in swift, rocky water just below navigation dams, the standard producer for the fall sauger run into freeze-up.
How big do Sauger get?
The Colorado record is 3.38 lbs from Horseshoe Reservoir in 2011. The Kentucky record is 7.44 lbs from Cumberland River in 1983. The Michigan record is 6.56 lbs from Torch Lake, Houghton County in 1976. 4 more state records are on this page.