Sauger Fishing On Cumberland River

The walleye Stizostedion canadense are native to Kentucky/Tennessee river systems and are of the same family. While these two species have many things in common, there are some subtle differences. Both fish begin their pre-spawn journey upstream as water temperatures drop, however sauger begin the migration somewhat earlier than walleye. Sauger can begin to group upstream below impoundments when the water temperature drops to the low 50s, while walleye usually favor a water temperature of 45-46 before they begin to stage in pre-spawn positions. Another difference between these two species is where anglers find them in the water table. (worldfishingnetwork.com)

David Woodward of Nashville fishes vertically at the lock and lock walls below Old Hickory Dam. ‘I jig a minnow on a 1/4-oz jig or use a Carolina rig with a floating jig to get the minnow off the bottom some. One of my most productive rigs is the double-hooked, bottom-bouncing crappie rig. I have two droplines about a foot and a half a part. I put more lead on this rig because I use it where there’s more current. I have found that saugers do not generally stay in swift current, however you’d think so by looking at where most sauger fishermen are fishing. ‘. (gameandfishmag.com)

In recent years, Tennessee and Kentucky have experienced a decline in sauger populations, and winter spawning runs aren’t as great as they used to be. Still, the Cumberland River from Clarksville to Cheatham Dam can supply some good fishing. Most anglers fish below Cheatham Dam, either from the riprap shoreline or from a ship. The regions at the mouths of Red River, McAdoo Creek, Hurricane Creek and Barton s Creek are well-liked spots. (theleafchronicle.com)

Dad, Joe, Uncle Johnny, and myself doing a little sauger fishing the day after Christmas. I put the GoPro in the tackle box to get some action shots of the trip. I really lucked out and caught and bunch of fish and most were keepers. It was cold, however the fishing action was HOT! A big shout out to the former mayor of Clarksville Johnny Piper for the $30 million dollar fishing spot that attracted these tasty fish. Hence forth I declare this area, Piper’s Pond. (youtube.com)

Tailwaters on the Ohio River and downstream of the Kentucky and Barkley dams are the best sauger fishing regions. Tailwaters are a concentrating system, Henley clarified. When the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers removes the gates on the locks and dams and the Ohio River is the same level above and below, the sauger move on through the dam. The fish could be spread out all over the river if we didn t have the locks and dams to produce that great tailwater fishery. (fw.ky.gov)

Doug Markham was with me on most trips and only he scored a catch on Normandy and Center Hill both recognized for good walleye action. We caught some below Old Hickory but Cordell Hull tailwaters was where our finest catching happened. Opposite to my viewpoint and fishing lore, the walleye were biting when there was no current below Cordell Hull. Doug and I found that hard to believe till after we had landed some number of only two keeper walleye and some number of legal saugers went into the live well. (advertisernews.biz)

Below the dams, the oxygenated waters contain striper, crappie, sauger, trophy catfish, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The Cumberland River is rarely viewed as a fishing hot spot; but, it offers endless opportunities for fishing. it’s home to healthy populations of catfish that on occasion weigh in extra of 30 pounds. The lower ends of big creeks that feed the Cumberland also offer good sauger-fishing prospects. if you’re fishing with a view of downtown Nashville or Knoxville, the Cumberland and Tennessee River Systems offer healthy populations of game fish. (tnwf.org)

The McAlpine Lock and Dam in Louisville is a greatly productive sauger fishing area, though it lies beside the biggest metropolitan area in the state. Attempt fishing down near the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center with 1/4- to 1/2-oz leadhead grubs and shad-shaped soft plastics when the water is high, and move up toward the dam when the river is low. The Ohio forms a series of chutes just below the dam at low water that resembles creeks. Sauger crush small crankbaits and light grubs fished in these chutes. (herald-dispatch.com)

Recognized to man. Usually the better Striper fishing is found in the Tennessee part of the river, although you may be able to find some downstream from the dam in Kentucky, closer to the state border. The Tennessee state record for a stiper is 65 pounds and 6 ounces, that is a big fish! The river in this area gives an extraordinarily fertile breeding ground for the fish, which is why they get so big. Be sure to bring heavy rods and heavy line, stripers over 40 pounds won’t be possible to catch with regular tackle. At that point your are not dealing with a fish, however a wild animal that will take time and patience to reel in. (cumberland-river.com)

Barkley is narrow from Cheatham Dam downstream for about 50 miles. Below Cumberland City, TN you’ll notice more backwaters in the creeks. After the Cumberland crosses into Kentucky, about Saline Creek, it widens into lake proportions. Big tributaries offer good fishing in their backwaters. A word of caution: If you don t know the lake, stay inside the channel markers to avoid crackling stumps with your lower unit. I ve found the upper point of the island across from the launching ramp to be a good spot of catfish and sauger. (themanmagonline.com)