Originally Posted By: Bill Cody
There have been a few published reports that found reproduction by saugeye so they not entirely sterile. However it is very doubtful they would spawn in a pond or most small lakes.

http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/fish/saugeye

Impact of Introduction: In Normandy Reservoir, Tennessee, saugeye have been reproducing with each other and backcrossing with walleye, compromising the genetic integrity of the natural walleye population. Walleye require specific habitat conditions for spawning and are often displaced by saugeye spawning in the same area. High numbers of saugeye could reduce populations of other gamefish (centrarchids) from which they readily consume (Fiss et al. 1997).
From:
https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=829

That's an interesting read Bill. We don't stock Saugeye where WAE exist and recruit in good numbers, Only impoundments where WAE don't seem to make it, and most of those impoundments are much more turbid in nature, usually with reduced visibility of course. We have yet to see any natural recruitment of Saugeye in any impoundment in Reg 1 in KS. But again, I'll never say it can't happen.
As for predation on other Centrarchids, stocking rates are conservative for Crappie control and in most cases 10/ac seem to do the job on an annual basis, some have shown best results every other year. One must remember in this case, the saugeye are being used as a tool but do provide additional fishing opportunity.

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