DNR - Lake Sturgeon

Illustrations by Joseph R. Tomelleri ©

Lake sturgeon are a unique fish species in Michigan. They are an important biological component of the Great Lakes fish community. Lake sturgeon can grow to weights of up to 200 pounds and lengths of seven feet, with females being longer and heavier than males. Their typical lifespan is 55 years for males and 70 to 100 years for females.

Lake sturgeon are listed as a threatened species in Michigan. Commercial fishing of lake sturgeon is currently prohibited in Michigan and sport fishing is closely regulated. There are many specific regulations for recreational fishing for lake sturgeon in Michigan.

Fishing for Lake Sturgeon in Michigan

Lake sturgeon harvest is limited to only 1 lake sturgeon per angler per year (April 1 - March 31). Harvest of lake sturgeon is limited to the waters of the state listed in the table below. Spearing for lake sturgeon is prohibited, except in Black Lake (Cheboygan & Presque Isle Cos.), during a special winter season; pre-registration is required.

Waters	Seasons	Regulations and Size Restrictions
Detroit R.	Fishing Season: July 16 - March 15	All lake sturgeon must be immediately released.
Lake St. Clair and St. Clair River	Fishing Season: July 16 – March 15 Possession Season: July 16 – Sep. 30	Between 42″ – 50″, inclusive. Lake sturgeon less than 42″ and greater than 50″ must be released immediately.
Otsego Lake (Otsego Co.)	Fishing and Possession Season: July 16 – March 15	50″ minimum size limit. Lake sturgeon less than 50″ must be released immediately.
All MI-WI Boundary Waters	Fishing and Possession Season: 1st Sat. in Sep. – Sep. 30	60″ minimum size limit. Lake sturgeon less than 60″ must be released immediately.
Black Lake (Cheboygan & Presque Isle Cos.)	Fishing and Possession Season: 1st Sat. in Feb. through the following Wed. or until the quota is reached (whichever comes first)	No size limit. All harvested lake sturgeon must be reported immediately to DNR on site. Contact DNR Gaylord office 989-732-3541 for details.
St. Marys River (Chippewa Co.) From the Soo Locks/Compensating Works downstream to the DeTour Village and Drummond Island ferry terminals to the south, and from Hay Point to Cherry Island then north to the international boundary for the northeast.	Fishing Season: July 16 - March 15	All lake sturgeon must be released immediately.
Portage and Torch Lakes (Houghton Co.) This includes Portage River, Portage Canal and north and south entry.	Fishing Season: July 16 - March 15	All lake sturgeon must be released immediately.
All Other Waters	NO FISHING SEASON	It is unlawful to fish for lake sturgeon, except in the waters listed above.

Harvest Registration

How to register your lake sturgeon
The lake sturgeon fishing and harvest tag is no longer required or available. An angler who harvests a lake sturgeon is required to report the harvest within 24 hours. Anglers can report their harvest online at Michigan.gov/registerfish, or by calling fisheries biologist, Cory Kovacs, at 906-287-0816. Please note, harvest registrations can not be done at DNR state fish hatcheries, other DNR field offices, or DNR Customer Service Centers. EXCEPTION: Lake sturgeon harvested from Black Lake (Cheboygan & Presque Isle Cos.) must be immediately registered on-site with DNR personnel (see below).

Fish harvested from Black Lake:

Must be registered immediately on-site with DNR personnel, instructions will be given when you register for the fishery and obtain a flag (see Black Lake section in current Michigan Fishing Guide).