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Nature

Lake Sturgeon

What is lake sturgeon?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Scientific name Acipenser fulvescens[2]
Also called Rock sturgeon[1]
Maximum length 6.5 feet (2 meters)[1]
Maximum weight Close to 200 pounds (90 kilograms)[1]
Range North America from Hudson Bay to Mississippi River[1]

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) is a large, long-lived freshwater fish native to North America, found in lakes and rivers. It is among the largest and oldest fish in the Great Lakes region.

Context

Lake sturgeon are a type of sturgeon found in North America, from the Hudson Bay to the Mississippi River [1]. They are among the largest and longest-lived fish in the Great Lakes region [1]. They live in both lakes and rivers and feed on small invertebrates along the bottom [1].

Documented claims

  • Lake sturgeon are the oldest and largest native fish species in the Great Lakes. [1]
  • They feed along lake bottoms on small invertebrates. [1]
  • They may not begin spawning until 15 to 25 years old and spawn only every four years on average. [1]

Related

Beluga SturgeonBeluga sturgeon is another large sturgeon species that readers may want to compare.White SturgeonWhite sturgeon is a closely related species found in similar habitats.

Questions and answers

Are lake sturgeon endangered in Canada?

Lake sturgeon are considered endangered in some parts of Canada, but the sources provided do not specify their status in Canada [1].

What is the biggest lake sturgeon caught?

Lake sturgeon can reach up to six and a half feet (two meters) in length and weigh close to 200 pounds (90 kilograms) [1].

Are Great Lakes sturgeon edible?

The sources provided do not mention whether lake sturgeon are edible.

Can you keep lake sturgeon in Ontario?

The sources provided do not specify regulations for keeping lake sturgeon in Ontario.

Sources

  1. Lake Sturgeon - Department of Environmental Conservation - NY.Gov — dec.ny.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. lake sturgeon - Illinois Department of Natural Resources — dnr.illinois.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature