Fisheries Program
Northeast Region
 
Lake sturgeon
lake sturgeon

Lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens)

Life History

Lake sturgeon have a life-span of more than 50 years for males and 80-150 years for females. Female lake sturgeon mature between 24 and 26 years of age while males mature at 8-12 years or occasionally even older than that. Females spawn once every 4-9 years. Males spawn every 2-7 years.

Range

From Canada to Alabama

Fun Facts

  • Food, quality of water, and temperature are all factors in lake sturgeon growth.
  • Females can lay up to 7,000 eggs per pound of adult fish weight.
  • Sturgeon have existed for millions of years.
  • These sturgeon can become quite large - growing up to six feet in length and weighing  almost 200 pounds.

More Information

National Geographic Lake Sturgeon Profile

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Last updated: December 16, 2011
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