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Vallazza, J. M., J. W. Deller, W. E. Lynch and D. L. Johnson (1994). Seasonal behavior, movements, and habitat preferences of hybrid striped bass and sauger in the Ohio River. Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Final Report Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Project F-69-P.

Hybrid striped bass Morone saxatilis x M. chrysops and sauger Stizostedion canadense are important components of the Ohio River sport fishery. Little is known about the behavior of either taxa in large river systems. Hence, to increase angler awareness of harvest opportunities and to identify critical habitats, radio telemetry was used to collect data on the seasonal movements and habitat preferences of hybrid striped bass and sauger in the Ohio River. Adult hybrid striped bass (N=59) and adult sauger (N=42) were surgically implanted with radio transmitters. No interpool movements were observed for either taxa. Median monthly movement rates were 0 - 498 mh^-1 with fish-day medians up to 1,567 mh^-1 for hybrid striped bass. Sauger moved considerably less; monthly medians were 15-40 mh^-1 with fish-day medians up to 90 mh^-1. Monthly depth-at-location ranged 3.1 - 5.8 m and 2.1 - 5.3 m for hybrid striped bass and sauger, respectively. Hybrid striped bass were located over deeper water in winter, whereas post-spawn sauger were over deeper water in May and June. Both taxa made extensive use of habitats associated with dams. Hybrid striped bass usually were located in the tailwaters spring and summer, whereas sauger increased their use of dam habitats in fall and remained there during winter. Neither taxa used tailwaters during high flows; hybrid striped bass moved downstream and sauger moved behind the lock wall. Island habitats were rarely used by either taxa. Hybrid striped bass and sauger both used confluence habitat during winter, especially during high flow. Sauger were more often associated with drop-offs than hybrid striped bass, which exhibited little preference for bottom contour type. Sauger often used woody structure along shore during high flows; hybrid striped bass did not. Hybrid striped bass were more likely to move out into the main channel during high flow. Habitats associated with dams seasonally provide some of the best angling opportunities for both taxa. However, during winter for hybrid striped bass and summer for sauger, angling opportunities also exist in a variety of downstream habitats. The lack of interpool exchange, particularly for hybrid striped bass, suggests the potential for pool-by-pool management for these two taxa. Future research needs include timing of pool fidelity development by juvenile hybrid striped bass, detailing specific spawning requirements of sauger in the Ohio River, and describing habitat overlap by congeneric Morone and Stizostedion fishes.