Alabama Sturgeon

Body Type & Identification: A small, critically endangered sturgeon endemic to the Mobile River basin of Alabama. Similar to Shovelnose Sturgeon but smaller, with a distinctive bright orange-yellow coloring on the belly. Listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act — one of the rarest freshwater fish in North America with an estimated wild population of fewer than 100 individuals.

Preferred Water Temperature: 60°F–72°F. Found in the main channel of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers in fast-moving water over sandy and gravel bottom. Feeding on invertebrates using sensitive barbels. Spawning biology still not fully understood — spawn in spring likely over clean gravel.

Habitat: The Alabama and Cahaba Rivers of central Alabama — a critically restricted range. Severely reduced by dam construction, siltation, and water quality degradation throughout the 20th century. Active recovery efforts are ongoing but population remains critically low.

Best Lures: N/A — federally endangered. No fishing permitted.

Best Baits: N/A — fully protected. If encountered incidentally, handle carefully and release immediately. Report all sightings to USFWS and Alabama DCNR to aid recovery monitoring.

Top 5 Destinations: Not applicable — a critically endangered species. Conservation support through USFWS and Alabama river conservation organizations is welcome.

A small, critically endangered sturgeon endemic to the Mobile River basin of Alabama. Similar to Shovelnose Sturgeon but smaller, with a distinctive bright orange-yellow coloring on the belly. Listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act — one of the rarest freshwater fish in North America with an estimated wild population of fewer than 100 individuals.

The Alabama and Cahaba Rivers of central Alabama — a critically restricted range. Severely reduced by dam construction, siltation, and water quality degradation throughout the 20th century. Active recovery efforts are ongoing but population remains critically low.

60°F–72°F. Found in the main channel of the Alabama and Cahaba Rivers in fast-moving water over sandy and gravel bottom. Feeding on invertebrates using sensitive barbels. Spawning biology still not fully understood — spawn in spring likely over clean gravel.

Best Lures: N/A — federally endangered. No fishing permitted. Best Baits: N/A — fully protected. If encountered incidentally, handle carefully and release immediately. Report all sightings to USFWS and Alabama DCNR to aid recovery monitoring.

Not applicable — a critically endangered species. Conservation support through USFWS and Alabama river conservation organizations is welcome.