UTERSauger fishing in Montana freshwater
In Montana freshwater, sauger peak December–April and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Missouri River below Fort Peck.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Sauger in Montana freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeak
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeakMissouri River below Fort Peck.
- AprilSpawning
- MayLeaving
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish sauger near Madison River, Missouri River (Craig), Bighorn River
Blue-ribbon trout rivers — the Madison, the Missouri, the Bighorn, the Yellowstone — native grayling in the Big Hole, Flathead's lake trout, and the plains reservoirs' walleye and paddlefish.
What to use for sauger
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 34–76°F water, best at 45–65°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch sauger in Montana freshwater?
Peak season is December–April, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Sauger are here year-round. March: Missouri River below Fort Peck.
Where do sauger hold in Montana freshwater?
Look on river, bridge, reservoir — around Madison River, Missouri River (Craig), Bighorn River, Big Hole River, Yellowstone River, Flathead Lake.
What is the best bait for sauger in Montana freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for sauger in Montana freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (Montana FWP) and change — read the current rule at https://fwp.mt.gov/fish/regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply.
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All about sauger · Montana fresh water, the whole year