By Kimberly Tabaka
"Saugernctc" by Duane Raver - USFWS. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
CWF recently donated $10,000 in funding to the Lac Saint-Pierre Zip Committee for their research efforts on protecting the sauger fish through the identification of spawning grounds and migration patterns. The sauger, a North American fish that belongs to the perch family, is considered the most economically valuable species in Canada’s inland waters as well as a major importance for the sport fishing sector, especially in Quebec. The change in recent years in size of the walleye and the sauger, as well as the decreasing quantity of the species demonstrates signs of problems in the population.
In addition, the decrease in yellow perch fishing at Lac Saint-Pierre has created an increased fishing pressure on the sauger. This project will help the research team to identify the saugers’ spawning grounds and migration patterns. With the knowledge acquired during their research, the Lac Saint-Pierre Zip Committee hopes to maintain essential habitats for the species before it’s too late. They are confident that their findings will enable them to propose concrete action to ensure the saugers’ survival.
