Maumee River Report – 2 August 2019

The saugeye–a hybrid created by crossing a female walleye with a male sauger. Often confused with their parental species, saugeyes typically have dark brown backs with darker saddle–shaped markings like a sauger, and a white tip on the lower tip of the tail like a walleye- they like muddy water so the Maumee is home to a goodly number of these fish. Saugeye are more tolerant of warm water than walleyes, and are particularly suited to life in turbid waters. While they usually don’t reproduce with another saugeye, they are not a sterile hybrid and are capable of reproducing with either parent stock.  Th Maumee River near Providence dam  in Grand Rapids OH is home to a good population of saugeye. Most classic walleye rigs and presentations work for saugeyes, but jigs tipped with livebait are particularly effective. Drifting lead head  jigs tipped with a piece of night crawler across rocky points and drop offs are partiulcarly effectife in this area. The Early morning sunrise/ crack of dawn bite is best this time of year.

Have fun, be safe and good luck fishing.