UTERSauger fishing in Illinois freshwater
In Illinois freshwater, sauger peak April and December–February and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Below the Illinois River locks — Starved Rock and Peoria.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Sauger in Illinois freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakBelow the Illinois River locks — Starved Rock and Peoria.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchArriving
- AprilSpawning
- MayLeaving
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberArriving
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish sauger near Illinois River, Mississippi River, Lake Shelbyville
The Illinois and Mississippi rivers' sauger and catfish, southern reservoirs for crappie and bass, the Chain O'Lakes, and Lake Michigan's harbors (see Lake Michigan).
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 Illinois freshwater?
Peak season is April and December–February, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Sauger are here year-round. January: Below the Illinois River locks — Starved Rock and Peoria.
Where do sauger hold in Illinois freshwater?
Look on river, bridge, reservoir — around Illinois River, Mississippi River, Lake Shelbyville, Rend Lake, Chain O'Lakes, Fox River.
What is the best bait for sauger in Illinois 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 Illinois freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and change — read the current rule at https://dnr.illinois.gov/fishing.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://dnr.illinois.gov/lpr/fishinglicensesfees.html.
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All about sauger · Illinois fresh water, the whole year