Sauger are at McAlpine

[Tyme2fish]

Was at the lower dam at Mcalpine today and brought home 7 sauger. The smallest (keeper) was 14.5 inches and my partner caught two that were over 20 inches.

The 14.5 fish was tagged from West Virginia. The tag will mailed to them tomorrow.
Go get 'em fellows!!!

[birdstrike]

My wife and I walk down to the interpretive center and I fished for a while while she took pictures. We were there for an hour right at sunset and caught 6 sauger and countless little bass. Most of our time was spent walking up and down the bank. Was a lot of fun. Fish were really biting, biggest one went about 18 inches. There was quite a croud until the sun whent down when everyone split.

[birdstrike]

Forgot to add that everyone on the bank seemed to be doing well with curly tail jigs. I was throwing a big spinner and crank baits and still catching 'em. Don't you love it when the planets align and the fish will eat anything!

and thanks KC for your tips!

[jfw]

yeah we were killin them(sauger) up by the upper spillway on the bank w/minnows on our ,,,went today in the boat at the lower spillway was doing great until they opened the dam up with no warning ...then we couldn't get a hit ....went over to the hydro and caught bunch of whites .

I have caught a few walleye already this year ...a good sign

I told you guys back in early Sept.this was gonna be a good sauger year,cause we were catching them on big sticks baits while striper fishing ...

Had a great fish fry tonight ,my 6 yr old loves those "Jack Salmon" fillets


They are currently running 18ft of dam on the lower so if you go tomorrow you should use new albany ramp

[kc]

You are welcome! I am glad someone can get out there after them while I can't. I hope to get out there at least once before the water gets high.

Good fishing!

kc

[Chubminnow]

I've never ate Sauger...usually I probably would throw back anything I catch from the Ohio...however, if I catch some Sauger out of there around McAlpine I think I'm going to keep them just to see what they tastee like...I love Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill etc...I DO NOT care much for trout however. In regards to table fare how does Sauger compare to the species I've mentioned above? Do you all fillet them or what?

[Barry]

How do you get there? I would like to take my son maybe one day this weekend to do a little bank fishing. I have never ate sauger, but heard they were good... Thanks for the update.

[birdstrike]

Give it a try Chubminnow, I think you will be pleased :9 That's why the banks are lined with locals when the sauger are running. Most can't taste the difference between sauger and walleye. GOOOOOD eat'n. I don't keep any because the river grosses out my wife, but I think they are safe to eat with limited consumption. Something like two meals per month according to the advisories put out by DNR. As with most river fish, the smaller they are the less toxins they have retained in their body (mostly in the fat and belly meat).

Enjoy!

[birdstrike]

Barry, if you will be fishing from the bank go to the "Falls of the Ohio" interpretive center and follow the path down to the river. The location is just downstream of where the railroad bridge crosses the river. From KY you take I-65N get off at exit 0, turn left and follow the signs. When you see an opening in the flood wall, drive in there and you'll be getting real close. I think the park closes at sundown but they will give you a "fishing" permit for free that allows you to stay all night if you care to. Brrrrrrrrr. Kids love it down there!

[Barry]

Sorry for all the questions.

1. Ohio river [Indiana/Kentucky] creel / size limit?
2. Indiana law on kids and out of state, will he need a fishing lic?

Thanks...

[Chubminnow]

That's a good question on the creel/size limit, does anyone know?

Also, what about the boaters? Are the boaters doing just as well as the bank fisherman on the Sauger?

[jfw]

10 is the limit sauger and walleye ,no size limit on sauger or walleye in the ohio river

No you can use a Ky license ,kids under 16 do not need a license

We went today got a limit ...didnt even take the boat fished below the upper spillway using red curly tail grubs ...I make my own leadheads; luckily because you lose lots of jig heads down there