Sauger

Sander canadensis

A river-dwelling relative of the walleye, found in the Ohio River system.

Size Limit

15 inches

Daily Bag

Season

Year-round

State Record

6 lbs 8 oz

Ohio River (2000)

Best Months to Fish

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

What to Use

Live Bait & Natural

minnows nightcrawlers

Lures & Artificials

jigs blade baits hair jigs

Overview

Sauger are found in the Ohio River and its major tributaries. They’re closely related to walleye but prefer deeper, faster-flowing water. Sauger are also one parent of Ohio’s signature saugeye hybrid.

Regulation Notes

Combined walleye/saugeye/sauger daily limit of 6

More Ohio Fish Species

Bluegill

Sunfish

Blue Catfish

Catfish

Channel Catfish

Catfish

Freshwater Drum

Drum

Largemouth Bass

Black Bass

Saugeye

Perch

View all fish species →

Plan Your Sauger Trip

Find lakes, guides, and bait shops for your next sauger fishing trip in Ohio.

Explore Lakes Find a Guide Bait & Tackle

Regulations shown are statewide defaults. Some waters have special regulations — always check the current Ohio DNR regulations before fishing. An Ohio fishing license is required for ages 16+.