Pallid Sturgeon

Body Type & Identification: Pale, almost white coloring — paler than Shovelnose Sturgeon. Very long, paddle-like snout and four barbels. An endangered species of the Missouri and Mississippi River systems — one of the rarest fish in North America. Federally listed as Endangered — fishing prohibited. A living relic unchanged for 70 million years.

Preferred Water Temperature: 55°F–72°F. Found in the main channel of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in fast-moving, turbid water over sand and gravel. Requires free-flowing river conditions and large river habitat.

Habitat: The Missouri River and lower Mississippi River — the last free-flowing segments of these rivers. Critically endangered — populations estimated in the hundreds. Conservation and captive breeding programs are underway to prevent extinction. An important indicator of large river ecosystem health.

Best Lures: N/A — federally endangered species. No fishing permitted. All encounters should be reported to USFWS.

Best Baits: N/A — federally protected. If incidentally caught, handle gently and release immediately. Report the catch to local wildlife authorities to aid population monitoring efforts.

Top 5 Destinations: Not applicable — a protected species. Observe through conservation program updates from USFWS.

Pale, almost white coloring — paler than Shovelnose Sturgeon. Very long, paddle-like snout and four barbels. An endangered species of the Missouri and Mississippi River systems — one of the rarest fish in North America. Federally listed as Endangered — fishing prohibited. A living relic unchanged for 70 million years.

The Missouri River and lower Mississippi River — the last free-flowing segments of these rivers. Critically endangered — populations estimated in the hundreds. Conservation and captive breeding programs are underway to prevent extinction. An important indicator of large river ecosystem health.

55°F–72°F. Found in the main channel of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers in fast-moving, turbid water over sand and gravel. Requires free-flowing river conditions and large river habitat.

Best Lures: N/A — federally endangered species. No fishing permitted. All encounters should be reported to USFWS. Best Baits: N/A — federally protected. If incidentally caught, handle gently and release immediately. Report the catch to local wildlife authorities to aid population monitoring efforts.

Not applicable — a protected species. Observe through conservation program updates from USFWS.