Sauger

[skipper9]

Check out this sauger caught on eyehunter 3. It was 25 inches long and weighed over 6 pounds. It is a half inch longer than the state record but it did not weigh enough to even be close to the record. It is at the taxidermist getting mounted. I think it was pretty cool. Good job Capt Erik and Capt Rob.

[Bggeary]

You guys sure that's a sauger? Idk the color looks a little dark. Either way, pretty fish.

[West Basin]

Unless an experienced fisheries biologist or very knowledgeable fish identification person saw the fish in person it is hard to tell. The photo isn't bad but you'd need a few more photos and close ups to really make a good determination. I've seen at least once where two or three fisheries biologists were looking at a strangely marked walleye/saugeye/sauger and they weren't sure exactly what it was, it's species makeup. Only a DNA test would be conclusive. As a past fisheries guy trained in fish ID I'd say the chance it is a pure sauger is slim, but possible. Sauger are even fairly rare in most of the Lake Erie tributaries. They are naturally a river species, moving water. Most likely it is a hybrid or a very unusual walleye. It is not uncommon in Lake Erie to catch walleye with a variety of color phases and a bit different markings. Either way as mention in another post it is a very unique catch and worth mounting. It is also possible it has some Blue Pike DNA, which may help explain some unusual characteristics. Great fish story, thanks for sharing it!

[skipper9]

100 percent sure. The picture I got from a customers old phone. I know the picture sucks. If you seen it in person you can tell right away.

[MasterKraft]

I thought the white on the tail was a mark for walleye. Do saugers also have the white on the bottom of tailfin. Not doubting your catch, I'm just asking because I don't know. Lol. Its a nice fish regardless.

[freddie]

I thought the white on the tail was a mark for walleye. Do saugers also have the white on the bottom of tailfin. Not doubting your catch, I'm just asking because I don't know. Lol. Its a nice fish regardless.

Wyoming Game and Fish lists a description of the differences.
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/fishexam/specie...eVsSauger.aspx

[cycleguy]

Usually here, where Saugers are pretty common on some of the waters, a white tipped tail is a strong indicator of a saugeye, a cross between the two. Some of the side splotching will not be as obvious, but usually the top fin is still strongly marked with the spots. A true sauger will be without a white tip. As said, it may just be the photo…. cool fish either way.

[ErieEye]

I was thinking saugeye when I seen the white tip on the tail. I catch a lot of them out of the local reservoirs. They look just like that.

[skipper9]

This is what the fish looks like.

[Madd Matt]

I think it's a big gobbie, but that's just me. I'm not saying that I know better than you what it is, but sure looks like a giant gobbie to me. Can you post the difference between a Gobbie and a walleye please?

-Matt