Lake Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeons have existed for millions of years, dating back the time when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.Acipenser fulvescens, also known as Lake Sturgeon, are one of the larger fresh water fish in North America (Mississippi River, Hudson Bay, The Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrance River), although they can survive in salt water because of their gills. Sturgeons tend to stay in water depths of less than thirty feet. They generally live in the gravel, sandy bottoms, or holes along shorelines of lakes and rivers. Sturgeon reach lengths of about 55 inches, and around 300 lbs., though there have been reports of much larger sturgeon (9 feet). Because of their size, sturgeons only predators are humans. Baby sturgeons may have predators because they are not as large as adults. Sturgeons live about half a century, but a sturgeon caught in Canada was estimated to be 154 years old. Females generally live longer than males. Lake Sturgeons date back to the upper cretaceous period, nearly 136 million years ago. There are seven species in North America, the White Sturgeon being the most common. There are many types of sturgeon around the world. Lake Sturgeons are considered threatened at the federal level, but 19 of the 21 states were they are found, list them as endangered (NWF). In Wisconsin sturgeon are listed as on watch status, and in Minnesota as a species of special concern (Fact Sheet). Sturgeons thrived in the 1800's, but now seeing a sturgeon is rare (NWF).


Scientific name: Acipenser fulvescens. Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Acipenseriformes Suborder: Acipenseroidei Family: Acipenseridae Genus: Acipenser	The seven types of lake sturgeon in North America (debatable): Pallid (picture with link to the left) White (most common) Green Shovelnose Shortnose Rock Black

"If you've ever had a chance to look into the eyes of a sturgeon, there are unfathomable depths there that take you back millennia; they take you back ages and ages ago. And having looked into the eyes of a sturgeon, you can fully understand that these animals swam practically unchanged from the way they are today when dinosaurs walked the earth."
Christopher Letts, Hudson River Educator

Sturgeons are most famous for their eggs, commonly refered to as caviar. Although caviar can come from other fish species, caviar from sturgeon is considered the best and is extremely expensive. The caviar market led to a market for smoked sturgeon. King Edward III, of England, loved sturgeon meat so much that he passed a law stating that any sturgeon captured in English waters was property of the royal family and must be reported to the royal family upon capture. Because of this law, sturgeon became known as the Royal Fish. Today sturgeon meat sells for more per pound than any other freshwater fish. The meat is considered rich and firm, and is very popular smoked. Humans also use sturgeon skins to make fine ornamental leather and gelatin from their airbladders to make isinglass. Isinglass is used as a clarifying agent in gellies, glues, and the isinglass windows of carriages and early cars (Sturgeon,2000). Two Sturgeon caviar types and prices (for 1, 3.5, and 6.5 oz):

Hackleback Sturgeon Caviar $38.00 $92.00 $160.00

Truffled Sturgeon Caviar $40.00 $98.00 $170.00

Prices may vary Here is white sturgeon caviar from 1-800-caviar.com. (Looks like chewed up licorice.)
At 1-800-Caviar.com, this caviar is going at $374 for 17.5 oz.

(1-800-Caviar.com)

These uses (or abuses depending on your view) along with over fishing have caused a decline in lake sturgeon populations. Recent efforts by conservationist's types have helped the species grow in numbers, but population numbers are still at dangerous levels. The slow reproduction practices of sturgeons has also added to this decline. It takes sturgeon nearly 20 years to sexually mature. Female sturgeon then spawn (lay eggs) every 4-6 years, while males reproduce every 2 years. Sturgeon spawn during the spring in pebbly habitats of clean water near the shore (NWF). The eggs released ( 500,000 minimum for a single spawning season) stick to the pebbles and other rocks before hatching about two weeks later. Not vary ,any eggs make it to term because other fish may eat them or pollution may kill them. Because sturgeons only spawn in areas with clean water, pollution also has had an effect on sturgeon populations. It not only effects reproduction, but also ruins their habitat. Sturgeons then have to seek out new places to live. The pollution is not only a problem for sturgeon, but for other species that depend on the water. Dams also hinder reproduction, as they prevent sturgeon from arriving at their spawning sites and returning to their normal habitat. Sturgeon travel great distances to spawn. One may spot a sturgeon during the spawning season leaping out of the water, creating giant splashes(Schultz).

Field marks of sturgeon:

Shark Like tail.
Bony plates on leathery skin.
Armor plated
Flattened snout.
Mouth on underside on head.

These marks make it unlikely to mistake
a sturgeon for any other fish.

The feeding habits of all sturgeon are nearly the same. Sturgeons are bottom feeders. They crawl along the bottom of bodies of freshwater searching for food. They search for food using barbels (located on the underside of the snout and similar to whiskers), to feel for food, because they have extremely poor eyesight. Most of their time is spent in search of food and eating. They rummage in the mud looking for food and then suck it into their mouth once a barbel locates it. Leeches, snails, clams, other invertebrates, small fish, and algae are among a sturgeons food choice. Sturgeon received their name from their eating style. In several European languages, Sturgeon means the stirrer. An interesting fact: sturgeons are one of the few fishes to have taste buds on the outside of their mouth. The exterior taste buds aid in the food selection process. Each sturgeon has 4 barbels (Fact Sheet).

Another pallid sturgeon with its 4 barbels below the snout.
To help lake sturgeon populations grow to number where they can once again strive, several rules and regulations have been established:

Dated sturgeon fishing season.

Special license for sturgeon fishing.

Restricted areas for sturgeon fishing.

Strict waterway pollution laws (NWF).

As an individual, if one wishes to help the sturgeon species survive and continue to expand its population, there are measures that can be taken with local Fish and Wildlife Service Fishery Resource offices. These mainly include assisting in research and reporting the sighting of sturgeons. These opportunities are usually on a volunteer basis, and the help will go to all fish species in the area where one might volunteer, not just sturgeons. Things to do include:

Keep research up to date by measuring and reporting any sturgeon caught or seen.
Volunteer in seasonal sturgeon research.
Spread the word about the conditions of sturgeon populations as well as other under water populations (NWF).

The Acipenser fulvescens species swam when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. It has survived for millions of years and it can continue to survive with the help of humans. The extinction of lake sturgeon is 100% preventable if we follow fishing guidlines and regulations, and most importantly having repect for the environment by not defacing it, or polluting. Hopefully, the species will thrive for millions and millions of future years. Remember, helping one underwater species helps other underwater species.

For additional information on sturgeon click on any picture above (except the caviar picture), or visit one or all of the web pages below.
More Sturgeon Stuff.
Acipenser fulvescens
Fish of the Week
Lake Sturgeon fact sheet.

copyright ©
Frank James Midiri
Illinois College
Jacksonville, Il 62650
Last updated 5/2/2003
Email: Midirif@ic.edu

This page is intended for everyone, from the general public to the educated. Note that all of the scientific information may not be completely up to date, and is only as accurate as the sources used.

References
Lake Sturgeon. National Wildlife Federation, 3 Mar 2003 <http://www.nwf.org/keepthewildalive/lakesturgeon.cfm> ; 15 April 2003.
Lake Sturgeon Fact Sheet. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, 1 Mar 2003 <http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wildlife/endspec/lakestur.html> ; 15 April 2003.
Fish of the Week: Lake Sturgeon. Schultz, Ken. Field and Stream, nd <http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/fishing/freshwater/article/0,13199,394039,00.html > 15 April 2003.
Acipenser Fulvescens. Sturgeon, Dianna. May 2000 < http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/acipenser/a._fulvescens$narrative.html > 15 April 2003.