I have no idea about KS, but have done a little sauger/walleye fishing in TN.
We generally fish near the deepest holes in the river (45-60ft) several miles downstream from the dam. I usually run to the upstream end of the hole and drift with the current through the hole to the downstream end i.e. about 25 ft down to 50 ft and back up to 25 ft. Sometimes fish will stack up on the inside bank of the river out of the current, and sometimes seem to be near the outside bank in deeper water. If I find fish, I like to mark the spot and concentrate on that location. Sometimes they will be scattered, and other times will be stacked up in one area.
We use .75 to 1.25 oz, depending on amount of current, "sauger jigs" tipped with minnows or artificial trailer. If using articficial, I use scented trailers or bait spray. Sometimes color is key, sometimes not so much.
Presentation is vertical jigging. Use the trolling motor to keep your line vertical over the jig. Drop down to the bottom, reel up the slack, jig up, and let it fall slowly to the bottom while keeping tension on the line. Soon as you feel the slightest tap of the bottom, jig up and repeat a few thousand times! The fish seem to hit as it falls. If you feel any "bump" on the way down set the hook!
I use 20lb braid to keep from losing too many jigs. Buy alot of jigs if you try this method! I lose tons at new spots were I haven't located the big snags the hard way!
There are many other ways to catch them, but this is what I am familiar with. Hope this helps, and good luck!
"They bitin' up river on that topwater"