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Saugeye

Saugeye

Saugeye are hatchery-produced hybrids created by crossing female walleye with male sauger. They are not native to Oklahoma but were first stocked in Lake Thunderbird in May 1985 and have since been introduced to many state lakes.

Physical Characteristics:
  • Saugeye can be identified by the spots and bars in the webbing of their spiny dorsal fin (walleye have no spots, sauger have distinct spots).
  • They have a tapetum lucidum - a reflective layer in their eyes that gives them an eerie glow and allows them to feed effectively in low light conditions.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They have been introduced to many state lakes in Oklahoma since 1985.

Key Locations

  • Lake Thunderbird, Atoka, Bluestem, Burtschi, Carl Blackwell, Ellsworth, Fort Cobb, Great Salt Plains, Hall, Holdenville, Jean Neustadt, Lawtonka, Shawnee Lakes, Sooner, Tom Steed, Vanderwork, and Waurika.
  • Prime Oklahoma destinations include Lake Thunderbird (winter fishing), lakes Fort Cobb, Tom Steed, and Lawtonka (historically prime waters), and lakes Carl Blackwell and Sooner (which offer both saugeye and hybrid striped bass opportunities).

Specific Spots

  • They congregate near the bottom on sand bars, ledges, and drop-offs, preferring hard structure transition areas near windswept shorelines and points.
  • In summer, they retreat to deep main-lake humps and structure.
  • Target rocky shorelines along dams, points, bays, coves, and marinas during low-light hours, focusing on drop-offs, ledges, channel breaks, offshore humps, and grass flats.

Saugeye FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Long, slender lipped crankbaits, grubs, swimbaits, and ring worms in shades of white, purple, chartreuse, orange, or pink. 2-4 inch grubs and swimbaits, with 'Monkey Milk' (white with black flakes) being particularly effective. Crankbaits in tiger perch patterns or with purplish backs.

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

Winter fishing can be particularly productive - legal-sized saugeye over 14-18 inches are often caught during winter at lakes like Thunderbird. In late February and March, fish along rip-rap at dams and bridges. The post-spawn bite (after early March) can be more prolific than during spawning.

How do you catch Saugeye in Oklahoma?

Use shallow-running minnow baits retrieved very slowly. Use stick baits and jig-grub combinations. Use bottom bouncing rigs with Lindy-style setups. The most critical factor is maintaining bottom contact - once your bait gets more than three feet off the bottom, bite chances decrease significantly.

What do Saugeye eat?

Saugeye are primarily piscivorous from the time they're stocked, with their diet transitioning as they grow. Smaller saugeye (201-300mm) feed almost exclusively on inland silversides, while those 301-400mm begin converting from silversides to shad as their main food item.

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