More than 12,000 lake sturgeon released into Michigan waters

This spring and summer, the DNR and several partners released more than 12,000 juvenile lake sturgeon in public waters, part of an effort to rehabilitate this culturally significant fish species. This year’s total is twice the number stocked in 2017.

The locations, totals, dates and (partner agencies) include:

Allegan County

  • Kalamazoo River: 35 fish, Aug. 29 (DNR, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Gun Lake Tribe)

Cheboygan County

  • Black Lake: 541 fish, Aug. 25 (DNR, Michigan State University)
  • Lower Black River: 7,737 fish, May 28 (DNR, MSU)
  • Burt Lake/Sturgeon River: 718 fish, August-October (Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians)
  • Mullet Lake: 537 fish, Aug. 23 (DNR, MSU)

Genesee County

  • Flint River: 477 fish, August and September (DNR, MSU, USFWS)

Manistee County

  • Manistee River: 75 fish, Aug. 29 (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians)

Menominee County

  • Cedar River: 183 fish, Aug. 23 (DNR)

Midland County

  • Tittabawassee River: 479 fish, August and September (DNR, MSU, USFWS)

Ontonagon County

  • Ontonagon River: 759 fish, Sept. 19 (DNR, USFWS)

Otsego County

  • Otsego Lake: 244 fish, July 10 (DNR, MSU)

Saginaw County

  • Cass River: 475 fish, August and September (DNR, MSU, USFWS)
  • Shiawassee River: 472 fish, August and September (DNR, MSU, USFWS)

Total lake sturgeon stocked: 12,374

Lake sturgeon eggs and larvae were collected from the wild in April and May and then reared in streamside facilities until they were large enough to tag. To allow for future evaluations of stocked fish, most fish were tagged before being released.

“Many of these stocking efforts were public events that showcased the importance of lake sturgeon to Michigan, and the partnerships that help us protect them for future generations,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter.

The lake sturgeon is on Michigan’s Threatened Species list. These annual stocking efforts – supported by several important partners who work to secure needed funding and resources – are critical to restoring the state’s lake sturgeon population.

For more information, visit michigan.gov/sturgeon or contact Ed Baker, 906-249-1611, ext. 309 or Elyse Walter, 517-284-5839.


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