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Saugeye

Saugeye

Saugeye are a hybrid fish created by crossing a female walleye with a male sauger, stocked by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in many state lakes as they grow faster than either parent species and are more tolerant of warm, turbid water than walleye.

Physical Characteristics:

The Arkansas state record saugeye weighed 9 pounds and was caught at Lake Frierson.

These hybrid fish exhibit characteristics of both parent species, with dark brown backs and darker saddle-shaped markings like sauger, plus white pigment on the lower tail tip like walleye.

They have rough scales on their cheeks and distinctive streaks between dorsal spines with 1-2 rows of spots along the fin base.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

In Arkansas, saugeye are classified as a non-native transplant and are not self-sustaining populations, requiring regular stocking to maintain fishable numbers.

Key Locations

In Arkansas waters, saugeye are found in several lakes including Lake Pickthorne near Jacksonville/Cabot where they're specifically stocked, Lake Frierson, and potentially other AGFC managed waters. January when they stage below dams on the Arkansas River at locations like Dardanelle and Ozark.

Specific Spots

Target deeper water structure including points, drop-offs, humps, and areas around dams where current breaks occur. Focus on 10-40 foot depths depending on season, with fish moving shallower during spawning runs and in low-light periods. In Arkansas River systems, fish below lock and dams, particularly around riprap and current seams. They prefer deeper waters during the day and move shallow to feed at dusk and dawn.

Saugeye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Saugeye in Arkansas?

Effective lures include jigs tipped with minnows (crappie-sized, not bass-sized), bright colored grubs and roadrunners fished close to bottom in slack water and current seams around rocks. White spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails, small crankbaits in shad patterns, and deep-diving crankbaits work well.

What flies work for Saugeye in Arkansas?

Successful fly patterns include streamers, particularly olive, black, and brown patterns, along with Clouser Minnows.

When is the best time to fish for Saugeye in Arkansas?

The best time to target saugeye in Arkansas is during winter months, particularly January. They spawn in late winter to early spring when water temperatures reach the mid-40s to low 50s, typically moving upstream toward dams and rocky areas.

How do you catch Saugeye in Arkansas?

Present baits slowly - saugeye have a soft, subtle bite compared to more aggressive species. The key is maintaining contact with bottom, as saugeye rarely feed above 3 feet off the substrate. During high water periods, use heavier jigs (1/8 ounce) to reach bottom in current.

What do Saugeye eat?

Saugeye are primarily piscivorous, feeding heavily on gizzard shad (which comprised 75% of their diet in Oklahoma studies), inland silversides, and centrarchids including bluegill and crappie. They also consume threadfin shad, minnows, and various invertebrates.

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