Sauger

This sauger image is one I found on the web. This a 4 LB Sauger that is the PA. state Record. Notice the darker blotches on the sauger's sides and the spots on the fins. Also notice the tail, no white spot. The Sauger is a freshwater fish of the family 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. The may be distinguished from walleyes by the distinctly spotted dorsal fin, by the lack of a white splotch on the tail fin, by the rough skin over their gill, and by their generally more brassy color, or darker (almost black) color in some regions. The average sauger in an angler's creel is 0.75 to 1 lbs in weight but the world record was 17 lbs, 12 ounces. Saugers are more typical of rivers whereas walleyes are more common in lakes and reservoirs. The sauger is highly prized as a food fish.

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.

Saugers and Saugeyes are caught basically the same way as Walleyes.