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Nature

White Sturgeon

What is white sturgeon?

· James MacDonald

Key facts

Scientific name Acipenser transmontanus[1]
Family Acipenseridae[1]
Native range West coast of North America[3]
Habitat Large rivers, estuaries, coastal waters[3]
Largest freshwater fish in North America Yes[3]
Maximum recorded age 103 years[3]

White sturgeon (*Acipenser transmontanus*) is the largest freshwater fish in North America, native to the west coast of North America and found in large rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters. It is anadromous in many populations, moving between saltwater and freshwater to spawn.

Context

White sturgeon is a species of sturgeon native to the west coast of North America, found in large rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters [3]. It is the largest freshwater fish in North America and is anadromous in many populations, moving between saltwater and freshwater to spawn [3]. Some populations are landlocked and live their entire life cycle in freshwater [2]. White sturgeon are bottom-associated feeders, adapted to living close to the bottom of large, cold rivers [4]. They can live over 100 years, with one record at 103 years old at capture [3]. Historical examples include individuals up to 610 cm (20 ft) and weights over 1,500 lb [3].

Documented claims

  • White sturgeon can live over 100 years, with one record at 103 years old. [3]
  • Historical examples include individuals up to 610 cm (20 ft) and over 1,500 lb. [3]
  • Some populations are landlocked and live entirely in freshwater. [2]

Related

Beluga SturgeonBeluga sturgeon is another large sturgeon species often compared with white sturgeon.Lake SturgeonLake sturgeon is a freshwater sturgeon species found in North America, related to white sturgeon.

Questions and answers

How rare is a white sturgeon?

White sturgeon are not considered rare overall, but some populations are landlocked and face conservation concerns [2].

Where are white sturgeon found in Canada?

White sturgeon are found along the west coast of North America, including Canadian waters, in large rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas [3].

What is the largest white sturgeon ever caught?

Historical records report white sturgeon up to 610 cm (20 ft) and over 1,500 lb [3].

Sources

  1. White Sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus — nrcs.usda.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. White sturgeon — wdfw.wa.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  3. [PDF] White Sturgeon - Idaho Fish and Game — idfg.idaho.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  4. Sturgeon | Oregon Sea Grant — seagrant.oregonstate.edu (retrieved August 3, 2026)

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