Michigan’s lake sturgeon, one of the many believed to be “living fossils”, have been the focus of conservation efforts due to their dwindling numbers. While these fish once thrived in the Great Lakes ecosystem, the history of their populations tells a story of overfishing and habitat loss that has resulted in severe declines. Now, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) partnered with federal agencies and indigenous tribes to protect and restore lake sturgeon populations. A recent surge in ice fishing has resulted in accidental catches of sturgeon, prompting the DNR to remind anglers of the importance of releasing these protected fish immediately.
Background on Lake Sturgeon
Lake sturgeon are distinctive looking, with five rows of bony plates, called scutes, along their backs and sides and whisker-like barbels on either side of their mouths. They are long-lived, with some individuals recorded as living more than 100 years. Lake sturgeon are native to Michigan and found throughout the Great Lakes, Mississippi, and Hudson River basins, and they have cultural and ecological significance. However, they started to disappear in the 1800s due to overfishing and habitat destruction.
Conservation Status
Michigan listed lake sturgeon as a threatened species in 1994. Since then, the DNR has worked with state, federal, and tribal agencies to rehabilitate populations. The conservation goal is to maintain viable, self-sustaining populations and restore declining populations to self-sustaining levels. This involves stocking lake sturgeon in several rivers and lakes and using streamside rearing enclosures to guard young sturgeon against predators while they imprint on their natal streams.
Threats to Lake Sturgeon
Lake sturgeon are threatened in multiple ways despite conservation efforts. Dams and barriers disrupt breeding and spawning habitats; climate change is also a considerable threat because of warming waters. However, thanks to those conservation efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has concluded that the lake sturgeon is not in danger of extinction or likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
Accidental Catches
Michigan has experienced a successful ice fishing season, with most anglers targeting walleye and other species. However, some habitats overlap with those of lake sturgeon, resulting in accidental catches. Anglers are reminded that most waters are closed to sturgeon, and any caught must be released immediately to prevent harm.
Protected Status
Lake sturgeon are protected in Michigan, and anglers are restricted from targeting them in most waters. The DNR stresses the need to avoid sturgeon when fishing for other species, especially in areas where their habitats overlap, such as the Manistee River, where Steelhead trout habitats coincide with sturgeon spawning areas.
Designated Fishing Areas
Anglers may pursue and harvest lake sturgeon only in a few lakes at designated locations during specific seasons. They include Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair River from July 16 to September 30, Otsego Lake from July 16 to March 15, the Menominee River in September, and Black Lake during the first Saturday in February. In other waters, such as the Detroit River, St. Marys River, Portage and Torch Lakes, and the Ontonagon River, sturgeon are catch and release only.
Accidental Catches in Other Waters
Accidental catches also occur in the waters where sturgeon cannot be targeted, such as Saginaw Bay, Saginaw River, Kalamazoo River, the Grand River, Muskegon Lake, Muskegon River, Manistee Lake, and the Manistee River. These catches highlight the importance of being mindful of where sturgeons are and must be handled with special care if caught.
Handling Accidental Catches
If a lake sturgeon is caught by accident, the DNR recommends releasing it as soon as possible to reduce injury. Even momentary handling, such as taking a photograph, can seriously damage the fish’s health and survival. Immediate release is especially important in cold temperatures when fish gills can freeze at any time.
Importance of Immediate Release
The lake sturgeon is an unforgettable catch, but any delay in releasing it is dangerous, says Jeffrey Jolley, Southern Lake Huron unit manager with the DNR. Photos or handling time can be detrimental to fish survival.
Reporting Harvests
Where sturgeon harvest is permitted, anglers may keep one fish per license year. Harvests must be reported within 24 hours, online, by phone, or in person at a DNR customer service center. Anglers may also report catch-and-release encounters through the lake sturgeon form.
Conservation Efforts
Lake sturgeon conservation involves stocking programs and habitat restoration. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, these efforts have helped make the species more resilient and adaptable to environmental changes. Collaboration conservation by states, tribes, and local organizations has played a key role in keeping lake sturgeon off the endangered species list.
Protecting Lake Sturgeon
Efforts to protect lake sturgeon in Michigan also involve partnerships among state and federal agencies, indigenous tribes, and communities. Though it is also caught accidentally, catch-and-release with compliance with regulations offers a real survival opportunity for this iconic fish. With conservation efforts proving successful, it is still important to manage Michigan’s natural resources by continuing to recognize the cultural and ecological significance of lake sturgeon.
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