Great Lakes Water Life Photo Gallery

Fish

Lake Sturgeon

Family: Acipenseridae (sturgeons)

Distribution and Habitat

N=Native, I=Introduced (exotic), X=Extinct, P=Extirpated

Image/Link	Scientific Name	Common Name	Lake Superior	Lake Michigan	Lake Huron	Lake Erie	Lake Ontario	Habitat
	Acipenser fulvescens	lake sturgeon	N	N	N	N	N	river and open lake, littoral/benthic

Table modified from "The Life of the Lakes: A Guide to the Great Lakes Fishery" MI Sea Grant Extension, Michigan State University.

Species Profile

Acipenser fulvescens - lake sturgeon

>Profile - Interactive Fishtank - Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Profile: WI Sea Grant
Profile - Madison JASON/WI Sea Grant
Profile - Fishes of Minnesota
Inland Fishes of New York
Scientific Profile: Fishes of Wisconsin
Scientific Profile: U of MI, Dept. of Zoology
Great Lakes Sturgeon Web Site - FWS

Listed as a rare species in the U.S. - endangered over most of its historic range. Young lake sturgeons eat a variety of small crustaceans like waterfleas and small aquatic insect larvae until they reach about 180 mm (7 in) in length. Adults suck their food up from the bottom. Their diet commonly includes small clams, snails, crayfish, sideswimmers, aquatic insect larvae, algae, and other plant matter. Can live to 120 years. Adult size: 10-80 pounds, 3-5 feet. (MN record = 8ft.)

Great Lakes Fishery Commission - Fishtank

WI Sea Grant

Additional drawings/artwork:
GLERL Waterlife Photo Gallery
Madison JASON - WI Sea Grant
Inland Fishes of New York

Additional photos:
EPA GLNPO - Great Lakes Fish
GLIN: TEACH Great Lakes
USFWS
Fishes of Minnesota
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology

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