Status of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescensRafinesque 1817) in North America

Abstract

Summary Lake Sturgeon is a potamodromous, fluvial-dependent species from the family Acipenseridae, and one of the largest freshwater fishes within its North American range extending to the Great lakes, Mississippi River, and Hudson Bay drainages. Like almost all other sturgeon species, Lake Sturgeon populations throughout its range suffered mass declines or extirpation in the late 1800s into the early 1900s, due to extensive overexploitation and habitat loss and alteration. However, Lake Sturgeon are still present in low to high densities throughout their native range due primarily to factors including: the species long life span and resiliency, the remote location of many northern populations, long-term pro-active management programs effectively controlling exploitation, improved habitat and water-quality conditions, and recovery programs that have been in effect since the late 1970s. Recovery programs initiated in the late 1970s are now just beginning to show signs of natural recruitment from populations re-built with stocked fish. Large sustainable recreational Lake Sturgeon fisheries with annual harvests of up to 45 000 kg and a commercial fishery with an annual harvest of up to 80 000 kg still exist and are maintained for Lake Sturgeon due primarily to rigid regulations, harvest controls, enforcement, and user involvement. The prognosis for the species is generally good, although habitat loss and maintaining public interest in the species management and recovery continue to be the greatest threats to local and regional populations. Hydropower development, especially in the northern part of the species’ range, is especially challenging due to the potential negative impact this type of development can have on a long migrating fish like Lake Sturgeon. Advances in understanding Lake Sturgeon life history, habitat requirements, and distribution within and among water systems has strongly indicated that dams and Lake Sturgeon can co-exist, if the correct planning and necessary mitigative techniques are employed at each site on a case-by-case basis.