Historically, sauger were distributed throughout Montana and inhabited turbid waters of the Missouri and Yellowstone River drainages. However, recent studies suggest that sauger populations in the upper portions of both river systems have declined, as well as in Ft. Peck Reservoir. In response to population declines, the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MTFWP) initiated a status review that was completed in 1999. As a result of data compiled in the status review, sauger were added to the lists of sensitive species maintained by MTFWP, the Montana Natural Heritage Program, and the Montana Chapter of the American Fisheries society.

It is estimated that sauger currently persist in about 50% of the estimated 2,015 river miles that historically supported sauger, and are common in only about 21% of that former range. In tributary drainages, an estimated 77% of tributary streams no longer support resident sauger. Reduction in abundance has occurred over the past 20 years and subsequently angler harvest rate has declined. In response, MTFWP has greatly limiting sauger harvest in the upper portions of the range.

Causes of decline are unknown, but suspected causes include low flows, alteration of flows by dams and diversions, reservoir management, entrainment in ditches and diversions, alterations or disturbance to spawning habitats; blockage of migratory corridors, and interactions with non-native species including the closely related walleye. There is a need to summarize existing data on sauger, identify information gaps, develop monitoring protocols to better monitor populations and trends, identify threats and limiting factors, provide recommendations to address those threats, and to use the latter data to develop a conservation agreement that will help direct management of sauger and their habitat.

The objective of this project is to develop a conservation agreement for sauger in Montana that will outline data gaps and data needs for sauger; identify threats and limiting factors to sauger; summarize existing sauger survey, monitoring, and conservation data; and compile these data into a cooperative conservation agreement for sauger.