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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2026 | East Branch Ontonagon River Iron County | Iron | 1,329 total | 7.2"–10" |
| Sep 9, 2026 | stocking event | 226 | 7.2" | |
| Sep 9, 2026 | stocking event | 225 | 7.2" | |
| Nov 4, 2025 | stocking event | 878 | 10" | |
| Sep 1, 2026 | Hubbard Lake Alcona County | Alcona | 619 | 6.6" |
| Oct 16, 2025 | Boardman River (below Union St. Dam) Grand Traverse County | Grand Traverse | 694 total | 6.1"–7.1" |
| Oct 16, 2025 | stocking event | 10 | 6.8" | |
| Oct 12, 2025 | stocking event | 160 | 6.2" | |
| Sep 27, 2025 | stocking event | 137 | 6.6" | |
| Sep 20, 2025 | stocking event | 2 | 7.1" | |
| Sep 19, 2025 | stocking event | 14 | 6.1" | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | stocking event | 61 | 6.3" | |
| Sep 17, 2025 | stocking event | 10 | 6.5" | |
| Sep 13, 2025 | stocking event | 300 | 6.3" | |
| Oct 1, 2025 | Sturgeon River Otsego County | Otsego | 750 total | 6.3"–28.4" |
| Oct 1, 2025 | stocking event | 2 | 18.3" | |
| Oct 1, 2025 | stocking event | 176 | 6.3" | |
| Sep 23, 2025 | stocking event | 127 | 6.5" | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | stocking event | 103 | 6.9" | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | stocking event | 85 | 6.9" | |
| Sep 13, 2025 | stocking event | 1 | 28.4" | |
| Sep 13, 2025 | stocking event | 253 | 7.4" | |
| Sep 13, 2025 | stocking event | 3 | 18.9" | |
| Oct 1, 2025 | Sturgeon River Delta County | Delta | 493 total | 6.3"–18.3" |
| Oct 1, 2025 | stocking event | 2 | 18.3" | |
| Oct 1, 2025 | stocking event | 176 | 6.3" | |
| Sep 23, 2025 | stocking event | 127 | 6.5" | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | stocking event | 103 | 6.9" | |
| Sep 18, 2025 | stocking event | 85 | 6.9" |
Showing the 25 most recent stocking events for Lake Sturgeon, across 5 lakes. Lakes with several events can be expanded.
Lake Sturgeon DNR Stocking History
Total stocked: 604,442
Stocking events: 808
Peak year: 2016 (96,610)
808
Historical stocking events
40
Lakes stocked
Aug
Next likely stocking window
Peak Stocking Months
Sep
Aug
Oct
Top Stocked Lakes
Sturgeon River
Otsego Co.
Sturgeon River
Delta Co.
Black River
St. Clair Co.
Black River
Mackinac Co.
East Branch Ontonagon River
Iron Co.
Forecast based on historical DNR stocking patterns. Not a guarantee of future stocking. Verify with the Michigan DNR.
Best Times to Fish Lake Sturgeon
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