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A Great Fish of the Great Lakes Contemporaries of dinosaurs, lake sturgeon have remained unchanged for millions of years. Once abundant in the shallows of the Great Lakes, these ancient fish look like fossils sprung to life. A resident of the Great Lakes for 10,000 years, the lake sturgeon is more than a holdover from the distant past; it is a barometer of the health and diversity of the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. Today lake sturgeon inhabit large river and lake systems throughout the Great Lakes basin and the Mississippi River and Hudson Bay drainage's. Lake sturgeon are an awesome sight The largest fish in the Great Lakes, they can grow to be nine feet long and weigh more than 300 pounds. Like their prehistoric ancestors, lake sturgeon have a distinct shark-like tail and rows of armored plates called "scutes" for protection. Despite their intimidating look and size, sturgeon are a docile fish. They have no teeth, and instead use a protruding vacuum mouth to feed on insects, crustaceans, fish and other organisms on the lake bottom.
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