Indiana State Fish

Sauger (common name)
Sander canadensis (scientific name)

Overview

The sauger is a member of the perch family that resembles a small walleye. It is a long, dark brown fish with an irregular, splotchy pattern and a forked tail. Its milky eyes are especially adapted for seeing at night and in turbid water. Female saugers are larger than males. The fish can be found in all of Indiana’s large rivers and is a highly prized sport fish known for its delicious taste.

Close-up

STATUS

Unofficial

PHYSICAL DETAILS

Length: Up to 30 in (76 cm); average of 14 in (36 cm)
Weight: Up to 8.8 lbs (4 kg); average of 1 lb (450 g)

LIFESPAN

Up to 18 years

HABITAT

Relatively shallow, murky rivers and silty reservoirs.

Range: From Alberta to Quebec in the north and Louisiana to northern Alabama in the south.
Water type: Freshwater
Water temp: 40–63°F (4-17°C)
Conservation Status: Least Concern

DIET

Insect larvae (mayflies), worms, crayfish, and fish.

REPRODUCTION

Fertilization: External
Spawning frequency: March-June
Mating behavior: Group
Egg laying: Saugers spawn at night over a two-week period when the water temperature has reached 45°F (13°C). Females lay 10,000–100,000 eggs over a rocky or gravelly bottom. The eggs adhere to the bottom and are fertilized by multiple males. No nest is built and no parental care is given to the eggs or hatched fry.

USES

Sport fish

OTHER NAMES

Sand pickerel, jack salmon, Canadian zander, doré noir

TRIVIA

• The species name canadensis refers to Canada, where the fish was originally found.

Click to enlarge an image

Sauger Illustration

Close up of Sauger

Sauger in Natural Habitat

CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Percidae
Genus:	Sander
Species:	S. canadensis

Raw Data Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Author: World Trade Press