@thegreenwayoutdoors: Lake sturgeon are one of the most unique fish we have in Michigan. They can live for more than 100 years, grow over 6 feet long, and reach weights well over 100 pounds. They also grow and reproduce extremely slowly. Female lake sturgeon may not reach maturity until they’re over 20 years old, and even then they don’t necessarily spawn every year. That’s one of the reasons these fish are so vulnerable to overharvest and habitat loss. The St. Clair River has a really interesting history with them. In the late 1800s, the river supported a commercial sturgeon fishery, and there was even a caviar processing operation in Algonac. Heavy harvest and habitat changes eventually caused populations across the Great Lakes to collapse. Today, lake sturgeon are still listed as a threatened species in Michigan, but the St. Clair-Detroit River system is now home to one of the strongest remaining populations in the Great Lakes, with an estimated 30,000 adult fish. A major spawning area is located in the upper St. Clair River near the Blue Water Bridge, which makes it even cooler knowing these fish are still reproducing naturally right here in Michigan. They use the four barbels underneath their head to locate food along the bottom, and those hard armored plates running down their body are called scutes. Catching one is awesome. Knowing the history of the fish you’re holding makes it even better. #LakeSturgeon #StClairRiver #MichiganFishing #GreatLakesFishing #thegreenwayoutdoors

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Thursday 10 September 2026 18:00:39 GMT