SSKY super duper walleye

[birdstrike]

I think I caught one of your geneticly pure walleye.

http://www.fishin.com/forums2/attach...3&d=1204851301


Just teasing. Quite an interesting fish though.

[know1]

That's a sauger, right?

[birdstrike]

That's a sauger, right?

Yep, good eye.

[RoadToad]

That's a sauger, right?

I think you're right. I was trying to figure it out and I found this cool posting from a Nebraska fisheries biologist about walleye, sauger, and saugeyes. In light of the recent discussions about the Rockcastle walleyes, I thought you guys might find it interesting.

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/cgi-bin/...;f=15;t=000077

Question: Daryl, Can you give me some feedback on telling the difference between a Saugeye and a Sauger? Got into a heated debate with a guy today at the lake on this issue.

Answer: Hybrid fish will generally have characteristics that are intermediate or a combination between the two parent species. So, when I have a fish in the hand I will call it a saugeye if I see characteristics of both species. Here is what I look for. They will have some white on the bottom lobe of the caudal fin (i.e. tail). Walleyes have more white on the tail fin that pure-bred sauger; saugeye will have at least some white. On walleyes, the spiny dorsal fin will NOT have spots. On sauger the spiny dorsal fin will have a series of spots in between the spines, and generally saugeye will have some spots on the spiny dorsal fin. Walleye will have one dark blotch at the bottom and back of the spiny dorsal fin, but no series of spots. Sauger do not have the blotch at the bottom and back of the spiny dorsal fin and most saugeye I have seen do not have that blotch either. Generally sauger will have a more distinct blotchy coloration on the back and sides; when viewed from above they may even look like saddle patches. Walleye generally do NOT have blotches or saddle patches on the back. Again saugeye will have an intermediate coloration, but you will generally notice the blotchy coloration or saddle patches. Lastly I check the cheeks. On most walleyes you will find that the cheeks are smooth, have no scales. Sauger and saugeye will tend to have at least some scales on the cheek and it will feel rough.

Now, having said all of that, let me say this. Walleye and sauger can hybridize in nature and the resulting offspring are fertile and can successfully mate with either parent species or other hybrids. In waters where hybrids occur you can end up with a whole range of fish from both parent species to intergrades between the two. For example, you can end up with fish that are 1/4 sauger and 3/4 walleye or 3/4 walleye and 1/4 sauger, or 1/8 sauger and . . . you get the idea. So in waters where hybrids occur, positive identification based on external characteristics may be nearly impossible. Even pointy-headed fisheries biologists may not be able to identify those fish with 100% accuracy based on external characteristics. Genetic analysis, DNA analysis, may be necessary to make a completely accurate identification.

So, if you were having a friendly little debate over the identification of a walleye/sauger/saugeye on a water where the hybrids occur, I am not sure I can settle that argument. I have listed the external characteristics I would look for, but I also would tell you that even a trained pointy-headed fisheries biologist may not get it right, you may need a pointy-headed geneticist to tell for sure.

Let me know if there are any other arguments, or questions I can help you with.

Daryl Bauer
Lakes and Reservoirs Program Manager
Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
[email protected]

[Tyme2fish]

That's one SICK looking sauger!!! Did ya catch him from broke back creek?

[birdstrike]

That's one SICK looking sauger!!! Did ya catch him from broke back creek?

It's hard to tell in the picture but it's body was not just crooked but shaped like a cork screw. Other than that minor detail, it seemed healthy. Flopped around a lot and swam away.

[RoadToad]

It's hard to tell in the picture but it's body was not just crooked but shaped like a cork screw. Other than that minor detail, it seemed healthy. Flopped around a lot and swam away.

Did it twist your line when you reeled it in?

[dc chopper]

Man, he might have the cla.... ahh never mind

[CMIDD]

They make a shot for that, or so I have heard.....

[dc chopper]

I wouldn't know... but what was done to that fish is illegal in 37 states and all of canada.