Fin's Fish Guide
The Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) is a brackish-water fish of the family Acipenseridae that grows up to 274 cm.
Description
The lake sturgeon is a large, ancient freshwater sturgeon from North America, occurring in the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes system, Hudson Bay and the Mississippi basin. The species can reach nearly 3 metres long and become very old, with documented individuals of over 150 years. The body bears rows of bony plates, an underslung sucking mouth with four barbels and an unequally lobed tail. As a bottom-dweller it searches for bottom animals with its barbels and sucks them up. The species migrates upriver to spawn on rocky bottoms. Through overfishing and habitat loss it is listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List.
Frequently asked questions
How do you recognise the Lake sturgeon?
The Lake sturgeon has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Bony rows of plates, four barbels and a sucker mouth; can live for well over 150 years
Where does the Lake sturgeon live?
The Lake sturgeon lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America
How big does the Lake sturgeon get?
The Lake sturgeon grows to a maximum of about 274 cm. On average the species is around 98 cm.
Is the Lake sturgeon dangerous to humans?
No, the Lake sturgeon is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.
Is the Lake sturgeon edible?
The Lake sturgeon is rarely eaten.
More photos
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All data
Identification
Appearance
Habitat & distribution
Behaviour & biology
For anglers
Safety
Status & sources
Same genus Acipenser
More from the family Acipenseridae
Want the complete picture on the Lake sturgeon?
Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Lake sturgeon is one of 12,519 species in the app.