Lake Sturgeon

Body Type & Identification: Ancient, primitive appearance — rows of bony plates (scutes) along the body, shark-like tail, and four sensory barbels hanging below a toothless, protrusible mouth. Olive-gray to brown. The largest freshwater fish native to the Great Lakes — one of the oldest living fish species on Earth. Can live over 150 years.

Preferred Water Temperature: 55°F–65°F. A cold-water species found in the deep, cool portions of large rivers and lakes. Spawn in spring in swift current over rocky gravel bars — spawning congregations are a spectacular wildlife event. Populations severely reduced by historical overfishing and habitat loss — carefully managed today.

Habitat: Large rivers and the Great Lakes — found in the St. Lawrence, Detroit, Niagara, and many Great Lakes tributaries. Also in several large northern river systems. Feeds by vacuum-siphoning invertebrates, crayfish, and small fish from the bottom using sensitive barbels to locate food.

Best Lures: Not taken on artificial lures — a strictly bottom bait species.

Best Baits: Night crawlers are the top bait. Fresh spawn (fish eggs) work very well in spring. Fresh crawfish tails produce results. Cut lamprey are used in some Great Lakes fisheries. Heavy bottom rigs on sandy and muddy river bottom with heavy sinkers to hold in current. Strict regulations apply — always check seasons, gear restrictions, and size/tag requirements before fishing.

Top 5 Destinations: Sheboygan River WI (spawning run), Black Lake MI, Rainy River MN/Canada, Georgian Bay Canada, Lake Winnebago WI.

Ancient, primitive appearance — rows of bony plates (scutes) along the body, shark-like tail, and four sensory barbels hanging below a toothless, protrusible mouth. Olive-gray to brown. The largest freshwater fish native to the Great Lakes — one of the oldest living fish species on Earth. Can live over 150 years.

Large rivers and the Great Lakes — found in the St. Lawrence, Detroit, Niagara, and many Great Lakes tributaries. Also in several large northern river systems. Feeds by vacuum-siphoning invertebrates, crayfish, and small fish from the bottom using sensitive barbels to locate food.

55°F–65°F. A cold-water species found in the deep, cool portions of large rivers and lakes. Spawn in spring in swift current over rocky gravel bars — spawning congregations are a spectacular wildlife event. Populations severely reduced by historical overfishing and habitat loss — carefully managed today.

Best Lures: Not taken on artificial lures — a strictly bottom bait species. Best Baits: Night crawlers are the top bait. Fresh spawn (fish eggs) work very well in spring. Fresh crawfish tails produce results. Cut lamprey are used in some Great Lakes fisheries. Heavy bottom rigs on sandy and muddy river bottom with heavy sinkers to hold in current. Strict regulations apply — always check seasons, gear restrictions, and size/tag requirements before fishing.

Sheboygan River WI (spawning run), Black Lake MI, Rainy River MN/Canada, Georgian Bay Canada, Lake Winnebago WI.