MEET THE LAKE STURGEON A RELIC FROM THE AGE OF DINOSAURS - WHERE CAN YOU FIND IT?
This huge freshwater fish can be found in the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, the Kalamazoo River and throughout the Great Lakes. Northern Michigan’s Inland Waterway – especially Northern Black Lake, is also home to a healthy lake sturgeon population.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Its greenish-grey coloring and rows of bony plates along its sides give it the look of a sleek, armored torpedo moving through the water. It has a pointy snout (nose). Dangling near its mouth are whiskers that help it find food along the riverbed.
LEARN ITS STORY.
The Great Lakes were once filled with lake sturgeon, but European settlers overharvested them. Then pollution and dams prevented the lake sturgeon from returning to spawn. The sturgeon’s survival was in danger.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other groups stepped in to protect the lake sturgeon and restore their numbers by improving their habitat and assisting in their reproduction.
The lake sturgeon is currently listed as a state threatened species. The good news is that the lake sturgeon are returning to healthy population numbers.
Thanks to conservation efforts, this mighty fish is living well in Michigan waters.
FACTS
SIZE: 6.5 feet
WEIGHT: Up to 200 pounds
DIET: Omnivore; Snails, fish eggs, insect larvae, clams
AVERAGE LIFESPAN: Males 55 years; Females 150 years!
