The lake sturgeon spawns from early May to late June, but enters spawning streams as soon as the ice is gone. They spawn in swift water, rapids, or the bases of small falls in water 2-15 feet deep. Where suitable spawning streams are unavailable, lake sturgeon may spawn in wave action over ledges or around rocky islands. During spawning, sturgeon lay in groups of two or three-that is, one or two males per female. No nest is built, but the sticky eggs adhere to stones and vegetation. Lake sturgeon do not reach the same size as Atlantic sturgeon, but nevertheless are usually 3-5 feet long and weigh 10-80 pounds. Lake sturgeon may not be harvested because their numbers have dwindled alarmingly-even in the St. Lawrence River where the largest population exists.

This fish is considered threatened in New York State. For more information about the legal status of this fish, please see the North American Native Fishes Association at http://www.nanfa.org

Distribution of lake sturgeon in NY state.

A 150 KB jpeg of the above fish is also available for download.

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