UTERSauger fishing in Tennessee freshwater
In Tennessee freshwater, sauger peak November–March and are around year-round, spawning in March, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. January: TVA tailwaters — Pickwick, Wilson and Watts Bar dams: sauger on the current seams.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Sauger in Tennessee freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryPeakTVA tailwaters — Pickwick, Wilson and Watts Bar dams: sauger on the current seams.
- FebruaryPeakPeak tailwater sauger; jig and minnow on the bottom.
- MarchSpawning
- AprilLeaving
- MayAround
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberArriving
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberPeak
Where to fish sauger near Dale Hollow, Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake
Dale Hollow's smallmouth, Chickamauga's giant largemouth, Kentucky Lake's crappie and ledges, the TVA tailwaters' trout and sauger, and Reelfoot's crappie.
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 Tennessee 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: TVA tailwaters — Pickwick, Wilson and Watts Bar dams: sauger on the current seams.
Where do sauger hold in Tennessee freshwater?
Look on river, bridge, reservoir — around Dale Hollow, Chickamauga Lake, Kentucky Lake, Norris Lake, Reelfoot Lake, South Holston River.
What is the best bait for sauger in Tennessee 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 Tennessee freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and change — read the current rule at https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing-regs.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.tn.gov/twra/fishing/fishing-licenses.html.
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All about sauger · Tennessee fresh water, the whole year