Sauger
Sander canadensis
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
Best Techniques
- vertical jigging
- dragging jigs in current
- trolling crankbaits
- blade baits
Top Baits
- jig-and-minnow
- blade baits
- small crankbaits
- live minnows
- nightcrawlers
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
15 inch minimum. Combined 5 daily limit with walleye and saugeye.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdooralabama.com
Arkansas 1 zone
Minimum length 14 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 6.
Effective 2025 · Source: agfc.com
Illinois 1 zone
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
Minimum length 14 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 5.
Effective 2025 · Source: iowadnr.gov
Kansas 1 zone
Minimum length 15 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 5.
Effective 2025 · Source: ksoutdoors.com
Kentucky 1 zone
Minimum size 14 inches. Aggregate daily limit of 6 with walleye.
Effective 2025 · Source: fw.ky.gov
Minnesota 1 zone
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
Minimum length 15 inches. Combined with walleye for daily bag of 4.
Effective 2025 · Source: mdc.mo.gov
Montana 1 zone
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
Combined daily limit with walleye and saugeye.
Effective 2025 · Source: outdoornebraska.gov
North Dakota 1 zone
Combined 5 daily limit with walleye and saugeye.
Effective 2025 · Source: gf.nd.gov
Ohio 1 zone
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
Combined walleye/sauger limit of 5 per day.
Effective 2025 · Source: wildlifedepartment.com
Pennsylvania 1 zone
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
Combined walleye/sauger daily limit of 4 fish. Sauger found primarily in Missouri River system.
Effective 2025 · Source: gfp.sd.gov
Tennessee 1 zone
Minimum size 15 inches. Aggregate daily limit of 5 with walleye.
Effective 2025 · Source: tn.gov
West Virginia 1 zone
Minimum size 14 inches. Aggregate daily limit of 6 with walleye.
Effective 2025 · Source: wvdnr.gov
Wyoming 1 zone
Combined with walleye in the daily limit. Found in Bighorn and Wind River drainages.
Effective 2025 · Source: wgfd.wyo.gov
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