Post By: frogs Posted: 5/22/2012 12:42:52 PM Points: 0
Wasn't sure if this was a Sauger, Walleye, or Saugeye when I caught this fish Saturday evening, 5/13 ... was getting dark. Wasn't till I got home that I could tell for sure what it was. Only fish I caught that night ... had another fish on but it got caught up in something and eventually got all my tackle back ... but no fish )
FishSeal, You probably no better than I ... but I'd have to disagree. I still think it's a Saugeye. For one, the spines on the dorsal fin were very pronounced and extended above the fin like on a Walleye. Also, not as skinny as a Sauger and the spots on the dorsal fin were small and not as pronounced like on a Sauger.
Either way was fun to catch something really different (for me)!!
I am by no means an expert but after looking at the picture showing the difference in the 3 I would say this looks like a sauger also. The biggest reason I say that is the pattern of the spots on the dorsal fin. The saugeye says the spots are typically in 1 or 2 rows along the base of the dorsal fin but the fish you are about to fillet (hit me up if you need help eating it hahaha) has distinct circular spots. Like I said though, I am by no means an expert...
Either way, congrats on a new fish!!!! Ultimately, you should call it whatever you want, I know I would call it DINNER for sure!!!!!!
nightangler, Well it's 3-1 that this is a Sauger ... my office mate agrees with you and FishSeal. Thanks for the feedback! I like your idea ... let's just call it dinner ... it was quite tasty. I would love to catch a crappie or two out there to fillet (and let the rest go), but haven't figured them out yet!
Sauger.. no white spot on tail, darker bigger blotches on side, and flatter neck to head transition. anywho thats a nice fish especially for a sauger. length??
Reply by: HardHooker Posted: 5/23/2012 11:17:48 AM Points: 72
I heard that soon they will be using the Sauger milt for making Saugeye's that may go into Douglas. I do not believe there are any Saugeye in the lake yet though.
I don't think they have stocked saugeye in Douglas at all, I'm pretty sure they haven't from a resource of mine. However, HardHooker is correct that the Sauger in Douglas are going to be used for "making" Saugeye.
Frogs, I'm wondering if that "big one that got away" was a wiper. I had one take me into the weeds one time and I lost it. I love them for the fight. I don't doubt that in the years to come, we will find natural saugeye in Douglas, but I think it's premature yet. We'll know for sure in a couple of years. Out of curiosity, was it male or female? Did it taste like an eye? I definitely say, "AWESOME FISH." You beat me to catching one. You fishing the tournament on June 2nd?
FS, The texture I thought was a bit lighter (softer) than a Walleye ... but definitely quite tasty and much like a Walleye. Do you have some details in the Fishing Tourney at Douglas in June? I wasn't aware of it.
As far as male or female ... I couldn't tell you. I should add that I was thinking what the hell is that thing when I got it in the shallows ... had a real blotchy camo appearance ... even in the low light. I did examine the entrails after filleting it. No sign of egg sacks and nothing identifiable in it's stomach.
Reply by: HardHooker Posted: 5/24/2012 9:59:57 AM Points: 72
I got into the Sauger all of April during the spawn & ate a few, I was catching mostly females & it was hard for me to find any difference in the meat. I have heard that in the north many prefer Sauger over Walleye. I think it has to do with size, smaller fish taste better.
Reply by: FishSeal Posted: 5/24/2012 10:19:54 AM Points: 4436
frogs, Here is the information for the tournament: [log in for link] . If you enter, I think you'll do pretty well from the looks of the nice one you caught.
Interesting on the perspective of the meat. HH, you could be right. I like smaller ones, but not too small.
Reply by: chevsincolo1 Posted: 6/2/2012 11:47:15 AM Points: 115
i know for a fact that in the north walleye is preferred by far. sauger are not common to northern states such as wisconsin, minnesota, or illinois. i grew up in wisconsin and we fish crazy for walleye and northern pike.
Reply by: OCwalleye Posted: 6/2/2012 11:54:22 AM Points: 199
Chevsincolo1 I agree I have fished Minnesota every summer with my dad, and his cousin, not once have I caught a sauger, or saugeye. I did not know about them till i relley started fishing here in co. Tons of walleye, pike, and bass in MN. Hope to get up to lake winnibigosh this summer. My cousin Caught over 50 fish in the mourning there last week.
