Sander canadensis

How to identify a Sauger

Sauger are found in lakes, rivers and reservoirs with cover (weeds, wood, rock). Use these features as a starting point and compare with a full identification guide before relying on any identification.

Habitat and range

Lakes, rivers and reservoirs with cover (weeds, wood, rock)

Where to catch Sauger

• Mississippi River tailwaters
• Tennessee River (AL)
• Missouri River (ND/SD)

Sauger by state

State season calendars that list Sauger — each shows the months it is in season and the official licence source:

• Alabama — seasons, best months and licence info
• Arkansas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Illinois — seasons, best months and licence info
• Iowa — seasons, best months and licence info
• Kansas — seasons, best months and licence info
• Kentucky — seasons, best months and licence info
• Louisiana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Minnesota — seasons, best months and licence info
• Mississippi — seasons, best months and licence info
• Missouri — seasons, best months and licence info
• Montana — seasons, best months and licence info
• Nebraska — seasons, best months and licence info

Plus 4 more — all 50 state calendars.

Baits and lures

Jigs · spinners · soft plastics · live bait

Detailed identification guides

• Walleye vs. Sauger

Related species

Often caught in the same waters or confused with Sauger:

• Shadow Bass — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Sheepshead Minnow — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Shorthead Redhorse — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Shortnose Gar — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Shortnose Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)
• Shovelnose Sturgeon — identification & profile (Freshwater)