Species of Concern
Lake Sturgeon
Acipenser fulvescens
Also known as: Rock Sturgeon
About This Species
Occupies large rivers and lakes with gravel or rocky substrate in the Great Lakes and Mississippi basins of the US and Canada, often visible during spring spawning runs when adults gather in shallow, fast-flowing shoals below dams or rapids. Outside spawning season it is a bottom-dwelling fish rarely seen from shore, so organised viewing at known spawning sites or through fisheries agency events is the most practical way to encounter it.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- As an endangered species, keep well back from spawning aggregations and never wade into or disturb shoals, since spawning is a brief and highly sensitive window for reproduction; both the US and Canada regulate handling, capture and disturbance of this species under federal and state or provincial law, with specific protections varying by jurisdiction, so check local rules before any close encounter.
- If observing from a boat, cut engine speed well clear of spawning shoals and never attempt to touch or handle individuals.
ENNaNAcipenseriformesAcipenseridae
Seasonal Activity
449,645 sightings · 2000–2023
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- NaN
- Order
- Acipenseriformes
- Family
- Acipenseridae
Occurrence data from GBIF.