The Lake Sturgeon is one of 27 species of sturgeon. It is New York’s largest and oldest native freshwater fish, often called a “living fossil” ot “rock sturgeon”. Mature adults average between 3-5 feet in length and 10-80 pounds in weight, but can occasionally grow as large as 7+ feet and 300+ pounds. Lake sturgeon have a very long lifespan. Males can live for 55 years and females for 80 to 150 years.Lake Sturgeon’s have been declining in populations since the 19th-century. Although it is difficult to determine specific causes, several factors have been blamed, including: over exploitation of stocks due to high demand for their eggs (caviar) and smoked flesh; construction of dams that cut off spawning and nursery areas; and possibly urban and rural development such as channelization.Lake Sturgeon’s are now classified as a threatened species in NY state, meaning fishing and possession are strictly prohibited. Reintroduction and recovery efforts periodically try to increase population by releasing thousands of fingerling lake sturgeon into waterways.
Websites:
- Lake Sturgeon – NYSDEC
- Lake Sturgeon Guide – New York Natural Heritage Program
- Lake Sturgeon Waters and Fisheries in New York State
- Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) | U.S. Fish & …
- A Closer Look: Maybe It’s a Lake Sturgeon!
- Return of the Lake Sturgeon | Life in the Finger Lakes
- Learn about sturgeon in NY
- sturgeon Archives
- Lake sturgeon Wikipedia
- Sturgeon in NY: Identification, Habitat & Conservation
- Distribution of Lake Sturgeon in New York – ResearchGate
- Species Assessment for Lake sturgeon – NY.Gov
- Massive ‘Prehistoric’ Fish Making a Comeback in New York
- Lake Sturgeon-The Nature Conservancy
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