Lake Sturgeon Restoration in West Michigan
The lake sturgeon is the largest species of fish in Michigan waters, historically reaching weights over 300 pounds. Historically, lake sturgeon were an important food source for Native American tribes, but Great Lakes sturgeon populations plummeted in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Overfishing was partially to blame for the decline. In the early 1800s, commercial fishers considered sturgeon a nuisance because they damaged nets set for smaller species. Wanton waste of lake sturgeon was common until the value of sturgeon roe, meat, and swimbladders was recognized and sturgeon processing plants were built in the Great Lakes region. Sturgeon roe is eaten as caviar and sturgeon swimbladders were historically used to produce isinglass, a clarifying agent used in beer and other products. Commercial catch of sturgeon in Lake Michigan dropped from 3.8 million pounds in 1879 to 2,000 pounds in 1920.
Destruction of spawning habitat and damming of rivers also contributed to the decline of sturgeon and continue to impede recovery in some areas. This state-threatened species supports small-scale recreational fisheries and eco-tourism events in other areas of Michigan, and has come to symbolize elements of our natural heritage that were nearly lost. Additionally, the lake sturgeon is a native bottom-feeder that has been found to consume large quantities of zebra mussels in Oneida Lake and the St. Lawrence River.
Adult sturgeon that reside in Lake Michigan ascend tributaries to spawn in spring. Individual fish often do not spawn every year, and do not mature until they reach 12 to 27 years of age. Researchers recently discovered that lake sturgeon are now reproducing in the Muskegon, Grand, and Kalamazoo rivers. Plans to aid their recovery in these rivers and Lake Michigan are currently being developed. Michigan Sea Grant recently funded an outreach project that will engage local residents in conservation activities suggested by these plans, and facilitate communication between groups involved.
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