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Sauger

Sander canadensis

Sauger
Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

The river-dwelling cousin of the walleye, sauger are prized by anglers who fish the major river systems of the Midwest and South, including the Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee river drainages. They tolerate turbid water better than walleye and often stack up below dams in huge numbers during fall and winter migrations. Their meat is considered by many to be even sweeter than walleye.

Seasonal Activity

Jan
Good
Feb
Good
Mar
Good
Apr
Prime
May
Good
Jun
Good
Jul
Slow
Aug
Slow
Sep
Good
Oct
Prime
Nov
Prime
Dec
Good

Best Techniques

Top Baits

Fishing Regulations

Season dates and limits for Sauger, by state. This list may not cover every state yet — always confirm current rules with your state's wildlife agency before you fish.

Alabama 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day · Size: min 15"

15 inch minimum. Combined 5 daily limit with walleye and saugeye.

Effective 2025 · Source: outdooralabama.com

Arkansas 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 6/day, 12 possession · Size: min 14"

Minimum length 14 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 6.

Effective 2025 · Source: agfc.com

Illinois 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 6/day, 12 possession · Size: min 14"

Combined daily bag with walleye of 6 total. Found primarily in Mississippi River and Illinois River systems.

Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.illinois.gov

Iowa 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day, 10 possession · Size: min 14"

Minimum length 14 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 5.

Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov

Kansas 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day, 10 possession · Size: min 15"

Minimum length 15 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 5.

Effective 2025 · Source: ksoutdoors.com

Kentucky 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 6/day, 12 possession · Size: min 14"

Minimum size 14 inches. Aggregate daily limit of 6 with walleye.

Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov

Minnesota 1 zone
Statewide
Season: May 10 – Feb 23
Limit: 6/day

Combined daily bag with walleye of 6 total. Same season as walleye. Found primarily in Mississippi River and larger southern Minnesota rivers and lakes.

Effective 2025 · Source: dnr.state.mn.us

Missouri 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 4/day, 8 possession · Size: min 15"

Minimum length 15 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 4.

Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov

Montana 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day, 10 possession · Size: min 15"

15-inch minimum. Combined with walleye in the daily limit. Native to Missouri and Yellowstone rivers.

Effective 2025 · Source: fwp.mt.gov

Nebraska 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 4/day, 8 possession · Size: min 15"

Combined daily limit with walleye and saugeye.

Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov

North Dakota 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day, 10 possession

Combined 5 daily limit with walleye and saugeye.

Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov

Ohio 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 6/day · Size: min 14"

Combined daily bag with walleye and saugeye of 6 total. Open year-round. Found primarily in Ohio River and larger reservoirs.

Effective 2025 · Source: ohiodnr.gov

Oklahoma 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day · Size: min 14"

Combined walleye/sauger limit of 5 per day.

Effective 2025 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com

Pennsylvania 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Jan 1 – Mar 14
Limit: 6/day · Size: min 12"

Combined daily bag with walleye and saugeye of 6 total. Same season as walleye. Found primarily in the Allegheny and Ohio River systems.

Effective 2025 · Source: fishandboat.com

South Dakota 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 4/day, 8 possession · Size: min 15"

Combined walleye/sauger daily limit of 4 fish. Sauger found primarily in Missouri River system.

Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov

Tennessee 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 5/day, 10 possession · Size: min 15"

Minimum size 15 inches. Aggregate daily limit of 5 with walleye.

Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov

West Virginia 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 6/day, 12 possession · Size: min 14"

Minimum size 14 inches. Aggregate daily limit of 6 with walleye.

Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov

Wyoming 1 zone
Statewide
Season: Open all year
Limit: 6/day, 12 possession

Combined with walleye in the daily limit. Found in Bighorn and Wind River drainages.

Effective 2025 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov

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