Lake Sturgeon 🔴 Threatened
🔬 Acipenser fulvescens
Michigan's most ancient fish — a prehistoric giant that can live over 150 years and reach 7 feet in length. Once nearly wiped out by overfishing and habitat destruction, lake sturgeon are slowly recovering in Michigan rivers and the Great Lakes under intensive DNR protection.
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Bite this month
Fair
Best season
Spring (spawning runs)
Regulations
50" min · limit 1
Where to Catch Lake Sturgeon in Michigan
Lake Sturgeon Conservation Status
🔴 Threatened Lake Sturgeon is listed as threatened in Michigan. State and federally threatened. One of Michigan's highest-priority conservation species. Harvest is prohibited in most Michigan waters. MDNR conducts extensive stocking and monitoring programs on the Black River, Muskegon River, Detroit River, and St. Clair River. Michigan requires a minimum length of 50" to keep. The daily bag limit is 1.
Lake Sturgeon Habitat & Behavior
Large rivers and lake margins with gravel or rocky bottoms. Spawns in fast-moving river sections in spring. Spends summers in deep lake water. DNR records show Lake Sturgeon present in 45 Michigan water bodies. Highest stocking activity on record is in Otsego, Cheboygan and Delta counties. Bite activity rates Good or better in Apr and Oct.
Best Lake Sturgeon Techniques
Catch-and-release only in most Michigan waters — check current regulations. Bottom fishing with nightcrawlers or spawn in legal areas only.
Best Lake Sturgeon Baits
Night crawlers, crayfish, cut bait, lamprey, large lures
Lake Sturgeon Fishing Regulations in Michigan
50"
Minimum size
1
Daily limit
1
Possession limit
Varies by water body — check DNR – Varies
Season
State threatened species. Highly regulated — some waters are catch-and-release only. Spearing season exists on a few select waters. Always verify current regulations with the DNR before targeting.
⚠️ Regulations shown are general statewide guidelines for 2025. Rules vary by water body and change annually.
Always verify current regulations in the official Michigan DNR Fishing Guide before you fish.
Michigan DNR Lake Sturgeon Stocking Records
Lake Sturgeon Stocking Events by Lake
| Date | Lake | County | Quantity | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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13 more recent stocking events available with Fishing Pro
See what's been stocked recently, including lake, quantity, and size.
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| Sep 18, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Otsego | 85 | 6.9" |
| Sep 18, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Delta | 103 | 6.9" |
| Sep 18, 2025 | Boardman River (below Union St. Dam) | Grand Traverse | 61 | 6.3" |
| Sep 18, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Delta | 85 | 6.9" |
| Sep 17, 2025 | Boardman River (below Union St. Dam) | Grand Traverse | 10 | 6.5" |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Otsego | 3 | 18.9" |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Otsego | 253 | 7.4" |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Otsego | 1 | 28.4" |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Delta | 3 | 18.9" |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Delta | 253 | 7.4" |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Sturgeon River | Delta | 1 | 28.4" |
| Sep 13, 2025 | Boardman River (below Union St. Dam) | Grand Traverse | 300 | 6.3" |
Most valuable for Lake Sturgeon anglers
See where Lake Sturgeon will be stocked next
Full stocking history across all 39 lakes, plus a forecast of which waters are due for restocking this season.
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804
Historical stocking events
39
Lakes stocked
Oct
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Sep
Aug
Oct
Top Stocked Lakes
See the top 5 lakes most likely to be stocked with Lake Sturgeon next season.
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Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Best Times to Fish Lake Sturgeon
Angler Tips for Lake Sturgeon
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