Comparison of Sauger Population Demographics Among Five Ohio River Navigation Pools

Sauger (Sander canadensis) is an important recreational sportfish species throughout the Ohio River basin. Understanding spatial variability in population demographics is important for managing Ohio River sauger populations.  Sauger were collected from five Ohio River pools (Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois waters) during late-Fall 2015.  Total length and weight were measured, and saggital otoliths were removed for age estimation.  We calculated pool specific catch per unit effort (CPUE), proportional stock distribution (PSD), condition (Wr), annual mortality, and von Bertalanffy growth models and compared these metrics among pools.  Sauger CPUE differed significantly among pools, with substantially higher CPUE in upper pools.  Sauger PSD was low in all pools (15-35) and condition (mean 90.5) did not differ among pools.  Annual mortality was very high in all pools (72.5%) and did not differ among pools; a weak 2013 year class was detected in most pools.  Growth was similar among pools, but slower growth and larger fish were found in upper pools.  Our results suggest sauger population characteristics are similar among Ohio River navigation pools, perhaps due to substantial fish movement or similar abiotic and biotic conditions among pools.  Thus, multi-agency coordination may be the most appropriate approach for managing Ohio River sauger populations.