Sauger 🔴 Threatened
🔬 Sander canadensis
The walleye's smaller, range-restricted cousin. Nearly identical to walleye but with a spotted (not clear) spiny dorsal fin and no white tip on the lower tail lobe. Prefers larger, turbid rivers and Great Lakes rather than clear inland lakes. Listed as Michigan Threatened -- now rare in the state. Historically present in the Detroit River and Lake Erie but populations have collapsed.
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Bite this month
Good
Best season
Spring, Fall
Keeper size
12" at ~4 yrs
Ice fishing
Viable target
Regulations
15" min · limit 5
Where to Catch Sauger in Michigan
| Lake | County | Population |
|---|---|---|
|
Torch Lake
18,770 acres
|
Antrim | |
|
Cheboygan Lake
640 acres
|
Cheboygan | |
|
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
|
Macomb | |
|
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
|
Muskegon | |
|
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
|
Muskegon |
Sauger Conservation Status
🔴 Threatened Sauger is listed as threatened in Michigan. Listed as Michigan Threatened. Historically found in larger rivers and Lake Erie/Lake Huron but populations have declined severely due to habitat loss, turbidity changes, and competition. Now extremely rare in Michigan -- confirmed records are limited. Any sighting should be reported to the MDNR Fisheries Division. Michigan requires a minimum length of 15" to keep. The daily bag limit is 5.
Sauger Habitat & Behavior
Large, turbid rivers and Great Lakes connecting waters. Prefers faster current and deeper water than walleye. Rarely found in clear inland lakes. DNR records show Sauger present in 5 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Antrim County. Bite activity rates Good or better in Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov and Dec. Sauger is a viable ice fishing target in Michigan.
Best Sauger Techniques
Same presentations as walleye -- jigs, live bait rigs, crankbaits drifted in river current. Report any catches to MDNR as sightings are tracked.
Best Sauger Baits
Minnows, night crawlers, jigs, blade baits, jigging spoons
Sauger Fishing Regulations in Michigan
15"
Minimum size
5
Daily limit
10
Possession limit
Last Saturday in April – March 15
Season
Similar regulations to Walleye. Primarily found in the St. Marys River and a few other Michigan waters.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Sauger Stocking Records
Sauger Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 more recent stocking event available with Fishing Pro
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Most valuable for Sauger anglers
See where Sauger will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 1 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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1
Historical stocking events
1
Lakes stocked
Apr
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Apr
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 1 lakes most likely to be stocked with Sauger next season.
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Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
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Estimated Mature Sauger — September
See Which Lakes Have Mature Sauger Right Now
Based on DNR stocking records from 2021–2023, we estimate which Michigan lakes likely hold Sauger at keeper size (12") today.
Best Times to Fish Sauger
❄️ Sauger is a popular ice fishing target in Michigan.
Angler Tips for Sauger
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