Lake sturgeon populations on the rise!

Lake sturgeon populations have seen a resurgence in recent years, thanks in part to new management techniques and efforts to improve habitat.

Lake sturgeon are an ancient fish that can live for over 150 years. They were once abundant in the Great Lakes, but their populations declined dramatically due to overfishing and habitat loss. In recent years, however, their populations have been on the rise again.

One of the main factors contributing to this resurgence is the implementation of new management techniques. For example, catch-and-release fishing has been encouraged in many areas, and regulations have been put in place to protect spawning grounds.

Habitat restoration has also played a role in helping sturgeon populations rebound. Efforts have been made to improve the quality of sturgeon habitat by creating more shallow areas near the shoreline and adding more woody debris and other structures that can provide cover and spawning areas.

All of these measures appear to be working, as recent surveys have shown that sturgeon populations are increasing in many parts of the Great Lakes region. This is great news for these iconic fish, and hopefully it will lead to further improvements in their population numbers.

Sturgeon fishing closures lifted in five states

Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois are lifting their sturgeon fishing closures starting Saturday January 20.

The five-state board agreed unanimously to reopen the season in each state, with some regulations still in place.

In Michigan, the daily limit will be one fish per person with a minimum size of 40 inches.

Wisconsin's season will open with a 5-fish daily bag limit and a 42-inch minimum size.

Minnesota's season will open with a 2-fish daily bag limit and a 40-inch minimum size.

Iowa's season will open with a 2-fish bag limit and a 36-inch minimum size. And in Illinois, the season will open with a 1-fish daily bag limit and no length restrictions.

Michigan sturgeon population remains healthy

The Michigan sturgeon population remains healthy, according to the Department of Natural Resources.

"They've recovered from whirling disease and continue to be a healthy and viable population," said DNR fisheries biologist Drew Youngeeking.

Youngeeking said the sturgeon remain an important part of the Great Lakes fishery.

"Michigan sturgeon are an apex predator and play an important role in the ecosystem," he said. "Anglers enjoy targeting these fish and we are committed to managing them for future generations."

The DNR has set a harvest quota of 1,500 fish for the 2019 season, which begins April 15 and runs through Nov. 30. The bag limit is one fish per day, with a possession limit of two.

Sturgeon can be found in all of Michigan's Great Lakes but are most common in Lake Huron and Lake Erie. They can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh more than 200 pounds.

Sturgeon populations threatened by Asian carp DNA

Sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes face a looming threat from Asian carp DNA, according to a recent study by researchers at the University of Notre Dame. The study found that carp DNA is present in high concentrations in several areas near the Great Lakes, including Chicago and Lake Erie.

Asian carp are a destructive invasive species that can damage ecosystems and disrupt the food chain by eating large amounts of plankton, which smaller fish rely on for food. The presence of carp DNA in the Great Lakes could potentially lead to an invasion of these fish, which could have catastrophic consequences for the region's ecology and economy.

The study's authors called for increased monitoring of Asian carp populations and urged authorities to take steps to prevent their spread into the Great Lakes. They also called for more research into the potential effects of an Asian carp invasion on the lakes' ecosystems.

The findings of this study are worrying, but not surprising. The federal government has known about the threat posed by Asian carp for many years, yet has done little to address it. This is inexcusable given the potential damage that these fish could do to one of our country's most precious resources.

We must act now to keep Asian carp out of the Great Lakes. This means beefing up monitoring efforts and taking aggressive steps to prevent their spread. We also need to invest in research to better understand how these fish could impact our ecosystem if they were to become established in the Great Lakes.

The fate of the Great Lakes depends on it.

Sturgeon size and age structure slowly improving

The latest population survey of sturgeon in the upper Snake River shows that size and age structure is slowly improving. This is great news, as it indicates that the population is beginning to recover from over-fishing and other threats.

The survey found that the average size of sturgeon was just over five feet long, with a few individuals measuring over nine feet long. In addition, the average age of sturgeon was six years old, with some fish up to fifteen years old.

These findings suggest that the population is slowly rebuilding, as younger fish are starting to reach maturity. This is good news for the future of this iconic species.

The Snake River has been identified as one of the most important sturgeon habitats in the Lower 48 states, and it is crucial that we protect these fish for future generations. Hopefully this population continues to improve so that we can someday see a full recovery.