Is a Saugeye related to the Walleye?

The Saugeye is actually a hybrid version of the Sauger (sand pike) and the Walleye.  Although a Saugeye can be a result of natural breeding of the Sauger and the Walleye, they are a species that is typically engineered by fishing agencies as a stock fish.  The Saugeyes will grow larger than the Sauger and are usually stocked to offer fishermen the opportunity to pull in larger fish in areas the Saugers tend to inhabit. The Saugeyes tend to resemble the Sauger, however, the saddles and blotches are not quite as obvious.  Like the Sauger, the Saugeye has distinct spots on the membrane of the spinous dorsal fin.  You will usually also see a black blotch at the posterior base of the same fin – similar to that you’ll find on the Walleye as well as a white spot at the end of the lower caudal fin.  The Saugeye is created by fertilizing Walleye eggs with sperm from the Sauger.  The Saugeye averages around 1 pound and typically grows to anywhere from 13-16 inches in length. Fishing for Saugeyes is best with crank baits, live minnows or night crawlers as well as lead headed jigs with feathers or plastic tails.  The main problem with the species is that it will normally not reproduce on it’s own.