Many of the needs for furthering restoration efforts of lake sturgeon in the Great Lakes involve gaining a better understanding of the status and characteristics of remnant populations relative to historic distribution and population structure and minimizing known impediments to sturgeon production. Following is a listing of activities and related results that the GBFRO has been involved in during 1997-1999 and activities that are planned for 2000 and beyond.

USFWS-GBFRO Activities 1997-1999:

Measured and monitored status of spawning runs of 4 remnant stocks in the Fox, Oconto, Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers of Green Bay, including sampling for and documenting successful egg deposition and natural reproduction.

• Spawner numbers in Fox River increased from 6 (1997) to 13 (1998) to 30 (1999) over 3 year period.
• Spawner numbers estimated at 50-100 in Peshtigo River, fewer in Oconto. Menominee River has large spawner abundance.
• Substantial larval production documented in Peshtigo River.
• Viable larva documented in Fox and Menominee Rivers.
• Fox and Menominee rivers may receive recruitment from upstream populations.
• Juveniles documented in Oconto and Peshtigo from 1998 year class.

Lake sturgeon spawning in the Fox River, 1999. Releasing a tagged sturgeon on the Peshtigo River.

Netting a sturgeon on the Menominee River.

Implanted transmitters in 18 sturgeon from the Fox, Peshtigo and Menominee Rivers and conducted telemetry over 3 year period to describe movement, distribution, residency time and habitat use in Green Bay.

• Sturgeon move from rivers into Green Bay soon after spawning.
• Stocks from different rivers mix and overlap in habitat use in Green Bay.
• Movement over 36 hr period can be highly variable but can be substantial for some fish.
• Temperature and depth where found can be highly variable for fish in the Bay.
• Some fish characterized as river residents while others reside primarily in the Bay.

Implanting tags, releasing fish and conducting telemetry of ultrasonically tagged lake sturgeon on Green Bay

Assembled available literature on historical distribution of lake sturgeon in Wisconsin waters of Lake Michigan.

• Collection of 43 documents referencing historical accounts of lake sturgeon in Wisconsin waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan is being summarized.
• Indicates wide spread historic distribution of sturgeon in Lake Michigan.

Coordinated with commercial and sport fishers to gather general biological information on distribution and movement, to tag additional fish, and to collect genetic samples.

• Identified occurrence of juvenile and adult sturgeon in wide range of habitats.
• Documented inter-basin movement between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan and between Green Bay and Lake Michigan proper.
• Tagged and collected genetic samples from river specific and mixed stock populations.

Large lake sturgeon held in a commerical pound net.

Volunteer commercial fishermen working up a lake sturgeon captured in one of their live entrapment nets.

Assisted with the writing of a draft lake surgeon plan for the Green Bay basin.

• Identified impediments to and associated strategies for restoration.
• Plan will guide future and ongoing sturgeon work in the basin.
• Using plan to develop funding proposal for needed work.

Assembled available data describing contaminant analysis of lak-+e sturgeon in the Great Lakes.

• Limited data indicates high variation in contaminant burdens between and within regions.
• Describes sample methods used and indicates future methods for comparability.
• Establishes need for further contaminants related work on lake sturgeon.

Lake sturgeon spawning in the Fox River.

USFWS and WI DNR biologists identifying the tag number on a Fox River lake sturgeon.

Planned Activities for 2000 and on-:

Implement coordinated study with Wisconsin DNR and Michigan DNR (funds pending) to:

• Define existing strains/populations of lake sturgeon within the Green Bay basin and the role of genetics in management , rehabilitation and reintroduction.
• Develop and implement standardized population assessment techniques for river (spawning) and open water populations/life history periods to determine trends in population size and status.
• Conduct intensive telemetry studies to determine periodicity and frequency of return to rivers of origin and determine male-female differences in seasonal distribution, movement and habitat use.

WI DNR and MI DNR biologists measuring a Menominee River lake sturgeon.

USFWS, WI DNR and MI DNR biologists conducting tagging survey of Menominee River lake sturgeon.

Assist with planning and implementation of the Great Lakes Fishery Trust needs assessment workshop to set priorities for Trust funding of lake sturgeon research and management in the Great Lakes.

Complete analysis of telemetry data collected in 1997-1999.

Continue to monitor, sample and tag fish from spawning runs of remnant sturgeon populations in area tributaries.

Expand cooperation with commercial and sport fishers in monitoring, sampling and tagging of sturgeon encountered incidental to licensed fishing operations in Lake Michigan.

Pursue funding and implement studies identified in management/rehabilitation plans and identified as priority needs through needs assessment workshop.

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