Lake Sturgeon(Acipenser fulvescens)

What are Lake Sturgeon?

Cartilaginous (nearly boneless) fish Row of bony scutes on side and top of body Shark-like tail and sucker-like mouth Unique barbels (whiskers) located in front of the mouth

used as sensory organs.

Shark-like tailBony plates Four barbels

Lake Sturgeon

Historic Distribution (green)Historic GA Distribution (yellow)

Current Distribution (red)

History

Ancient species dating to dinosaur era. Before 1860, considered a trash fish. Sturgeon were

dried and used as firewood or feed for pigs. After 1860, interest in caviar and smoked filets lead to

over harvest. Populations have never recovered. Nationwide - current population is less than 1% of

former abundance.

Georgia Lake Sturgeon

Entirely freshwater. Historic range limited to Coosa River System. Threatened species Lives 150-200 years. Typically reaches up to 6-feet in length and 200 pounds.

Food Habits

Feeds on the bottom using the four barbels under its snout to taste & feel its food.

Opportunistic feeders that prefer soft-bodied organisms (worms, insect larvae, mollusks, etc.).

Spring spawners (53o-58o F). Spawn in rocky areas near strong currents. Eggs adhere to rocky substrate. Females first spawn at 14-25 years of age and

spawn once every 4-9 years. Males mature earlier and spawn every 1-2

years Likely to mature faster in Georgia’s climate.

Reproduction

Spawning Female Sturgeon

Current Lake Sturgeon Management Goals

Re-establish a native species

to the Coosa River system.

Establish a fishable population

Contribute to conservation efforts in North America.

Does the original Coosa River population still exist (loss of genetic integrity)?

Will restoration impact other species (particularly endangered species)?

Reintroduction Considerations

Do the originalDo the original fish still exist? fish still exist?

Scientific publications Scientific publications

list the fish as “extirpated”.list the fish as “extirpated”.

Last verified Lake Sturgeon Last verified Lake Sturgeon

from the Coosa River from the Coosa River system was early 1960’s.system was early 1960’s.

1997 Campaign Poster

Used to find anglers who might verify the presenceof sturgeon.

Will they impact other species?

Co-existed with

Coosa River species

in the past.

Unlikely to target any specific food source given their opportunistic feeding style.

Overpopulation potential is extremely low due to infrequent spawning and late maturity.

Reintroduction Plan

Stock 4-6 inch fingerlings starting fall 2002. Continue stocking for at least 20 years. Mark fish to track individual stockings. Monitor stocking success using a variety of

methods including radio telemetry. Protective regulation.

Rearing at WRD Summerville Fish Hatchery

Receive eggs from Wisconsin. Grow to 4-6 inches. Cooperative studies with UGA

to refine rearing techniques.

Sturgeon eggs in hatching jar. 4 to 6 inch sturgeon in hatchery trough.

Sturgeon Release

Released August through December.

Release sites on the Coosawattee, Etowah, and Oostanaula Rivers.

Calhoun and Armuchee Elementary Schools (Rome) involved.

Monitoring the Lake Sturgeon

Wire Tagging and Radio Telemetry are methods used to help monitor released Lake Sturgeon

Public Education Efforts

Media releases. Signs at public areas. Public meetings. Presentations to

interested groups. Educational outreach.

Accidental Catch

Sturgeon should be released while still in the water.

If hooked deep, cut line close to the hook.

If you observe a sturgeon, contact WRD Fisheries Management Section.

The Past

Lake Sturgeon caught in Oostanaula River (1959).

The Future

For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com