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!!!

[jfw]

Well the sauger fishing will change ,the lower at McAlpine is 19 ft and rising ;
NOw if you go try the big rocks down from the interperative ctr ,you will see a back eddie ,they will be in the back eddie

[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.

[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]

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

[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!

[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?

[kc]

Sauger are pretty good to eat. Some guys compare them to walleye but I think they have a stronger taste from the Ohio. I have eaten Sauger from KY lake that don't have that strong taste. One positive to keeping sauger is they are a breeze to clean.

One note for all fishing sauger at the falls == like any other sought after species as the pressure picks up the quality falls off. I recommend to all catching and eating those sauger to release the bigger ones. To me the biggest ones have the stronger taste anyway and it's always best to selective harvest leaving the cream of the crop. Plus I release all walleyes I catch below the dam. Their numbers are not great and putting them back can help the numbers build for the future.

Good fishing!!!

kc