UTERSauger fishing in Kentucky freshwater
In Kentucky freshwater, sauger peak November–March and are around year-round, spawning in March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: Below Kentucky and Barkley dams.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Sauger in Kentucky freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakBelow Kentucky and Barkley dams.
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchSpawning
- AprilLeaving
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish sauger near Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland
Kentucky and Barkley lakes for crappie and ledge bass, Cumberland's stripers and walleye, Dale Hollow's smallmouth, Cave Run's muskie, and wading rivers for smallmouth.
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 Kentucky freshwater?
Peak season is November–March, with fish spawning in March (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Sauger are here year-round. January: Below Kentucky and Barkley dams.
Where do sauger hold in Kentucky freshwater?
Look on river, bridge, reservoir — around Kentucky Lake, Lake Barkley, Lake Cumberland, Dale Hollow, Cave Run Lake, Green River.
What is the best bait for sauger in Kentucky 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 Kentucky freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) and change — read the current rule at https://fw.ky.gov/FishBoatGuide/Pages/default.aspx before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://fw.ky.gov/Licenses.
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All about sauger · Kentucky fresh water, the whole year