Rodney York
04-12-2002, 07:07 AM
Just curious on the criteria used for identifying Saugeye from Saugers. I've always identified by physical characteristics, but understand that the only accurate method is DNA testing. Are there any experts out there that can qualify this or provide some scientific data.
Thanks,
Rodney
Sometimes you can tell a saugeye from a walleye or sauger by it's markings, sometimes you can't. Saugeye will typically take some of the markings of both a sauger and a walleye, but occasionally they can look almost exactly like one or the other. Typically, saugeye look more like a walleye than a sauger, though. Sauger do not have a white spot on their tail. Walleye typically do not have the dark spots on their dorsal fin, or the large dark blotches on their sides. Any fish that has both the white spot on the tail and the blotches on it's sides is probably a saugeye. The blotches may be less defined, but they will usually be somewhat visible.
A positive identification in some cases is only possible by DNA analysis, which is used to verify state records, but if you know what to look for you should be able to tell fairly accurately just by looking at them.
Eyez