LAKE STURGEON NEWBIES -- This video is of newly hatched lake sturgeon fry at MDC’s Blind Pony Hatchery near Sweet Springs. They were spawned 10 days ago. For the next several days they will survive by absorbing their yolk sacs, which provide nourishment. They will then begin eating a diet of freshly hatched brine shrimp. They will be reared in hatchery tanks until they are around 8” in length and then be released this fall into the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Lake sturgeon are an endangered

Every spring, Lake Sturgeon here in Otter Tail County (& elsewhere) congregate in the rivers to spawn. We were sucker fishing on the Otter Tail River the other night, and just as we were leaving, the sturgeon appeared. The sturgeon fishing season is currently closed. Please do NOT disturb them this time of year. There were lots of walleyes and suckers mixed in with this group. Truly a sight to behold. #fish #fishing #fishinglife #sturgeon #nature #river #water #lakelife #ottertailcounty #minneso

Lake sturgeon migrate to their spawning habitat mid-May through June. They spawn in riffles, shallow sections of rivers with fast, tumbling water. The river current washes the gravel stream bottom free of silt and provides oxygen for the eggs. In order to naturally reproduce, sturgeon need a way to reach these quality spawning areas. In 1999, the Minnesota DNR began reconnecting rivers by removing dams and replacing them with natural “rock arch rapids.” Dam modifications create and provide acces

NEWS: Lake Sturgeon Reintroduction Focuses on Lake Erie's 3 Tributaries ⏺ Three tributaries to Lake Erie (Maumee, Cuyahoga, and Sandusky rivers) have historically supported Lake Sturgeon spawning but no longer have spawning populations. ⏺ The overall restoration goal is to establish self-sustaining populations in each tributary. ⏺ Our agency is working with partners to reintroduce Lake Sturgeon to these tributaries after an assessment of fish habitat and other factors. 🐟 Want to learn more? Che