Duck River question - sauger
 

I've been rather impressed with the smallmouth fishing on both the Buffalo and the Duck River since I moved here a few months ago! There's more rock bass than one can shake a stick at which can be fun as well.

I'd like to get into some sauger as the season progresses. I hear that they are in the Duck River - but my question is - are they limited to being only below the dam in Columbia? Does the TWRA stock saugeye below Normandy?

Any info is greatly appreciated.

my friend has fished the dam in columbia a couple times. but he only has caught small large mouth and small small mouth and pretty nice size drum. as far as sauger goes i have no idea i havent heard much from people there that caught them. but its always worth a try. have you ever been to milltown road in chapelhill? theres another dam there also.

Sauger and Saugeye are stocked below Normandy Dam. if you go down the river from the dam...you can walk and wade it...you will see where a creek runs out of the fish hatchery. Sometimes fish have been released there. I don't know when the last time they did that but it has been done before. You can also find Sauger...Saugeye....Walleye below the dam. I have personally caught limits of Walleye all over 21 inches below Normandy. I have seen Walleye as big as 7 pounds come from below the dam. I have also caught quite a few Sauger/Saugeye in the 15 and 16 inch range below the dam....and up in the lake...along the rip rap of the dam is a good place for Walleye also. While you may catch some Sauger now..it is not the norm for this time of year. In TN you will find that Sauger and Saugeye bite best in the cold months.


Regards

Thanks Alphahawk! I like fishing below dams in the winter. This summer on float trips I'll drag tubes and minnows in the deeper holes when not fishing current bends for smallmouth!

Sounds like great fishing below Normandy. I hope it isn't inundated with gar right now like it is below the dam in Columbia.

Tight lines to all-

The waters below Normandy are an "Odd Duck"...so to speak. The Walleye ..Sauger and Saugeye are there. The water temp is the problem. Too cold to maintain what should be there and not quite cold enough to keep trout all year long. But it can be a great place to fish at certain times of the year. I have been there for two years when the Kentucky Bass made their run up river. Both times I was just in the right place at the right time. It was cast after cast of Spots that were in the 2 to 3 pound range. I have never caught many Smallie below that dam....but know a few who happened to be there when Smallies made their run up the river and for a few days it was catch one on every cast. If you have a canoe..kayak and go up to the dam and fish at the left side of the catch pool you are subject to land a trophy Crappie of 3 pounds or better this time of year. You are also subject to get a big Walleye. Good luck.


Regards