Walleyes get a lot of love. They are a favorite fish of anglers across the Midwest. There are multiple regional and national fishing tournaments dedicated to fishing for them. They’re even the state fish of South Dakota! Indeed, walleyes get plenty of love across South Dakota and the entire Midwest. But what about the sauger?
Saugers are just as deserving of love. Saugers are closely related to walleye, look very similar to them, and hybridization within the two species is common. While not as prevalent across the Midwest, when it comes to fishing on the Missouri River any angler that considers themselves a walleye angler should consider themselves a sauger angler as well!
Prior to the completion of the dams on the Missouri River, sauger were a dominant species. It was after these dams were completed that the reservoirs became deeper, clearer, and more suitable for walleye to thrive.
This is because saugers prefer more turbid water than walleyes. Walleyes, while they are a riverine species, prefer clearer water than the closely related sauger, which prefers dirtier and more turbid conditions. This was closer to the conditions present on the Missouri River prior to the dam construction projects.
While they may prefer more turbid water, sauger have plenty of character in their appearance. Sauger often have saddle markings along their entire body, and in many situations, these can be incredibly vibrant and unique. These saddle markings are something walleye lack, and while it is not the most distinguishing feature, is a good way to quickly tell the difference between the species.
The most distinguishing characteristic to differentiate the two species is the white on the tail. Walleye will have a pronounced, white-tipped tail, while sauger will lack that distinct marking and often display more of a thin, long white line along the bottom of the tail.
Another excellent identifying feature is the dorsal fin. Walleye, similar to the white tip on their tail, will have a solid black mark on the back of their dorsal fin. Sauger will lack this black mark, and may also have spotting throughout the entire dorsal fin.
Beyond these three differences, physically walleye and sauger will appear very similar. They exhibit the same body shape, tapetum lucidum within their eyes, and in many situations will be caught in the same areas and even be caught among each other.
The greatest difference between the two species is body size. Walleyes are often a stouter, well built species, while saugers will generally be more slender and torpedo shaped. Walleye will also grow to much larger sizes, with 20-30 inches far more common in walleye than saugers. Saugers over 20 inches can be considered rare, but they are certainly possible.
Fortunately, the table fare for both species is essentially identical. Walleye and sauger will have the same regulations and limits, with a combination of the two species considered in the same bag limit. For example, a bag on Lake Sharpe or Lake Francis Case could consist of three saugers and one walleye, two saugers and two walleyes, or any other combination.
Similar to walleyes as well, saugers will have the same length limits on them. A 15 inch minimum applies on sauger just like walleye, as well as the one over 20 inch regulation. In many instances, natural hybridization between the two species could be considered common.
This hybridization is called a saugeye, and in certain situations these species may even be stocked by fisheries managers. These stocked hybrids are produced with female walleye and male saugers. As a rule of thumb, a hybrid will often grow closer to the size of the species as the mother, which is why the female walleye are preferred in hatchery produced products.
These hybrids excel in areas that traditional walleye stockings may not. This could be shallower, more turbid waterbodies, that walleyes have struggled to take off. These extremely fertile waters can grow some incredibly quality saugeyes, and offer a fishery that may not reach the potential a traditional walleye fishery could.
This hybridization also occurs naturally, especially in areas on Lake Francis Case and Lake Sharpe the two species are common. When it comes to spotting a naturally produced saugeye in the wild, it’s not as easy as some anglers may think.
Hybridization can occur throughout many generations, and there is a good possibility that somewhere within a fish’s lineage is both a walleye and a sauger, so when it comes to identifying in the field focusing specifically on walleyes and saugers as two separate species is the best bet.
Anglers looking to truly target saugers should focus their efforts near the White River on Lake Francis Case and below Farm Island Recreation Area on Lake Sharpe, both within Hipple Lake and below towards Stony Point, Fort George Lakeside Use Area, and De Grey Lakeside Use Area. Saugers will prefer these areas that have both current and naturally a bit more turbid water, though they can be found throughout the entire reservoir.
The same techniques that target walleye will catch sauger, and in terms of feeding and behavior the two species are very similar. Anglers looking to truly target saugers should pay attention to the water clarity and expect to find more sauger in the areas that are a bit dirtier. Additionally, sauger can also often be caught a bit deeper than walleyes, which conversely can be a good adjustment for anglers to be aware of when targeting walleye.
Saugers might not grow as big as walleye, they won’t weigh as much by length when compared to a walleye, and don’t have any regional or national tournament series named after them, but they’re still very deserving of our love as anglers! Saugers are willing biters, hard fighting, and taste just the same as a walleye.
The next time you’re out on the water and catch a sauger, show it some love. They’re beautiful fish, and arguably even better looking than a walleye. When it comes to filling a limit or setting the hook, they serve the exact same purpose of a walleye. Take a moment and admire a sauger, they have a lot of history on the Missouri River and are still available for us anglers to enjoy today!
South Dakota Fisheries Focus
Want to learn more about the various species across South Dakota? Learn more about salmon, paddlefish, smallmouth bass, and of course walleye on our South Dakota Fisheries Focus page!
