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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.

20-80 lbs, 3-6 feet
Typical size
193 lbs (Great Lakes)
Michigan record
Spring (spawning runs)
Best season
9
Listed lakes

🛡 Conservation Status

🔴 Threatened 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.

🌿 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.

🎣 Best Techniques

Catch-and-release only in most Michigan waters — check current regulations. Bottom fishing with nightcrawlers or spawn in legal areas only.

🌊 Where to Catch in Michigan

Lake County Population Notes
Black Lake
10,130 acres
 Cheboygan Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Burt Lake
17,120 acres
 Cheboygan Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Cheboygan Lake
640 acres
 Cheboygan Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Fletcher Pond
8,600 acres
 Montmorency Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Indian Lake
8,689 acres
 Schoolcraft Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Lake St. Clair
260,000 acres
 Macomb Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Mullett Lake
16,630 acres
 Cheboygan Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
 Muskegon Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.
Muskegon Lake
4,150 acres
 Muskegon Fair Threatened — catch-and-release only. DNR monitoring program active.

📦 DNR Stocking History

Total stocked: 422,292
Stocking events: 507
Peak year: 2016 (68,461)

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📋 Quick Facts

🔗 Resources

📖 DNR Sport Fishing Guide 📋 DNR Stocking Database 🐟 All Fish Species 🎣 MDNR Sport Fishing 🔬 MDNR Fish ID Guide 🎣 Log a catch