World Fisheries Day: Sturgeon Conservation

Olivia Triltsch • November 22, 2024

Today marks World Fisheries Day and there is no better way to honor this day than highlighting the conservation success of Lake Sturgeon in Michigan. Lake Sturgeon are one of the oldest native fish in Michigan which had been brought to near extirpation. However, with conservation efforts combined with our abilities in fisheries, this threatened species has made a comeback. 

History

In the 1800’s, Lake Sturgeon were plentiful. These large fish occasionally damaged fishing nets leading to an increase in market demand for this fish’s resources to prevent this economic loss. The Lake Sturgeon population declined due to habitat loss and degradation as well as overfishing as recognized by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. By the 1900’s, the populations drastically declined with these demands in addition to dams disrupting connectivity for migrating fish. The first thoughts of a statewide rehabilitation strategy for Lake Sturgeon were the first steps toward conservation in 1997 for the Fisheries Division. 

Conservation Efforts

Lake Sturgeon conservation efforts often involve streamside rearing facilities to ensure fertilization occurs and juveniles live beyond a critical age. To perpetuate the population, direct capture or egg mats are used to retrieve eggs and are brought back to the rearing facilities. This species is one of the few that migrate upstream for breeding which makes gamete collection easier. The goal of these streamside rearing programs is for the individuals to imprint on the local water to return for future breeding. These facilities are operated by Michigan and Wisconsin DNR with one facility operated by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. 

Research to further understand this species was an integral part of initiating conservation efforts. Telemetry research aided in understanding the movement of Lake Sturgeon and other behavioral patterns. Additionally, capture-mark-recapture methods were used in Black Lake to determine a safe fishing quota to sustainably harvest the fish. 

Current Status

The conservation successes of Lake Sturgeon have reached the point of anglers being able to harvest an individual based on regulations. As of 2024, anglers are allowed to harvest one sturgeon per person per year and it must be reported within 24 hours. The fishing and possession seasons can be found in the fishing regulations handbook listing specific lakes and rivers along with the size limits. Black Lake in particular has specific regulations regarding reporting possession and prohibiting spear fishing. These limitations on possession and size of various populations are in place to further conserve and ensure there is enough diversity to perpetuate the species.  


If a sturgeon is found with a tag, do not remove the tag. Some fish have a visible or internal tag or fin clips, these can be reported to Eyes in the Field when found with data about the fish to the Michigan DNR. 





Right: Sturgeon Spearing on Black Lake. Courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources. 

Characteristics

These unique fish are often described as dinosaur-like due to the rows of bony plates along the body. They hunt on river or lake bottoms using their protrusible mouth on their underside and the barbels as sensory organs. In contrast to many other fishes in Michigan with cycloid scales, Sturgeon have ganoid scales which are stronger. The upper caudal fin is also longer than the lower, similar to a shark. Individuals can range from brown to gray with white bellies. 

The Michigan DNR recognizes these fish as late to reach sexual maturity with females taking between 14 and 33 years while males are younger. Spawning is also inconsistent and may not occur annually for an individual, particularly for females. It is estimated females lay between 4,000 and 7,000 eggs per pound of body weight. These long-lived fish live around 55 years with some individuals living beyond 100. The state record weighed 193 pounds caught in Mullett Lake, however, larger have been reported to be observed in the Great Lakes. 

Get Involved

Organizations like Sturgeon for Tomorrow are available resources assisting fisheries for Lake Sturgeon rehabilitation. If you want to help in the conservation of important species across Michigan like Lake Sturgeon, consider joining MUCC. We advocate for conservation initiatives with sound, scientific management efforts. Our On the Ground program also works in the field to improve habitat for several species at a time depending on the project. 


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