STAHLWALKER vs. WALLEYE (and Sauger)

	Kingdom:            Animalia Phylum:             Chordata Class:         Actinopterygii Order:           Perciformes Family:              Percidae Genus:                 Sander
Walleye binomial name Sander Vitreus		Sauger binomial name Sander canadensis
	There is a hybrid known as the Saugeye.
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch. The walleye is sometimes also called the yellow walleye to distinguish it from the blue walleye, which is an extinct subspecies formerly found in the southern Great Lakes. In some parts of its range, the walleye is mistakenly known as the colored pike, yellow pike or pickerel (esp. in English-speaking Canada), although the fish is related neither to the pikes nor to the other pickerels, both of which are members of the family Esocidae. Genetically, walleyes show a fair amount of variation across watersheds. In general, fish within a watershed are quite similar and are genetically distinct from those of nearby watersheds. The species has been artificially propagated for over a century and has been planted on top of existing populations or introduced into waters naturally devoid of the species, sometimes reducing the overall genetic distinctiveness of populations.	Hybridization between saugers and walleyes is not unknown; the hybrids, referred to as saugeyes, exhibit traits of both species. Being intermediate in appearance between the two species, saugeyes are sometimes difficult to differentiate, but they generally carry the dark blotches characteristic of the sauger.	The sauger is a freshwater perciform fish of the family Percidae which resembles its close relative the walleye. Saugers, however, are usually smaller and will better tolerate waters of higher turbidity than will the walleye. In many parts of their range, saugers are sympatric with walleyes. They may be distinguished from walleyes by the distinctly spotted dorsal fin, by the lack of a white splotch on the caudal fin, by the rough skin over their gill, and by their generally more brassy color, or darker (almost black) color in some regions. The average sauger in an angler's creel is 300 to 400 g (0.75 to 1 lbs) in weight but the world record was 8.1 kg (17 lbs, 12 ounces.) Saugers are more typical of rivers whereas walleyes are more common in lakes and reservoirs. The sauger is highly prized as a food fish.
*For the rest of the page I will refer to both Sauger, Saugeye, and Walleye as Walleye unless specifically noted*

LAKE OAHE

Lake Oahe is a large reservoir behind Oahe Dam on the Missouri River beginning in central South Dakota and continuing north into North Dakota in the United States. The lake has an area of 370,000 acres (1,500 km²) and a maximum depth of 205 ft (62 m). By volume, it is the fourth-largest reservoir in the US. Lake Oahe has a length of approximately 231 mi (372 km) and has a shoreline of 2,250 mi (3,620 km). 51 recreation areas are located along Lake Oahe, and 1.5 million people visit the reservoir every year. The lake is named for the 1874 Oahe Indian Mission.

Species of fish in the reservoir include walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass. Chinook Salmon, native to the Pacific Northwest, are artificially maintained in Lake Oahe and are a popular target for anglers. The lake also supports populations of the endangered pallid sturgeon.

Lake Oahe begins just north of Pierre, South Dakota and extends nearly as far north as Bismarck, North Dakota. Mobridge, South Dakota is located on the eastern shore of the central portion of the lake. Bridges over Lake Oahe include US Route 212 east of Gettysburg, South Dakota and US Route 12 at Mobridge.

Now that you got the history of the fish and lake, this is my everything Walleye page to prepare for my upcoming annual fishing trip with my dad and brother.

So we are nearing the date of July 8.  This is when I get my lure wet for the first time this year and like always I am getting excited.  Here is an article about a local guide and his favorite lures on Lake Oahe.  It was from Field and Stream.  I have the same Cordell Wally Diver that he discusses and it might be time to give it another chance.  Click the picture or here for the story about Karl Palmer.

Fishing reports from South Dakota Insider for Lake Oahe.

Pictures from the Theeler Fishing Derby a.k.a. The Sunset Safari XXXI

Dr. Rx and a 17"

The Bodyman with a 20".

The Bodyman with his 22".  That placed 7th on Thursday for largest walleye of the day.

Myself with an 18"