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.