NEW YORK — The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is offering tips for fishermen to protect Lake sturgeon.
Lake sturgeon typically spawn in late April through early June over gravelly areas. The spaces between the rocks make ideal hiding spots for the eggs, so you’re more likely to encounter them this time of year. You may spot one breaching out of the water, a behavior that’s exhibited during the spawning season, or if you’re fishing, you may hook into one. Remember, fishing for them is strictly prohibited.
If you do happen to catch a sturgeon follow these tips for a safe and efficient release:
– avoid bringing sturgeon into your boat or on shore, minimizing it’s time out of the water.
– use pliers to remove the hook quickly.
– support the fish horizontally. Holding it vertically, by the head, gills or tail, can cause serious injury.
– move to another fishing spot or switch lures and technique to avoid re-hooking or catching another sturgeon.
A decade ago you would be hard pressed to encounter a sturgeon, but thanks to DEC, US Fish & Wildlife Service, US Geological Survey, Cornell University, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and their partners, they’re making a serious comeback after being nearly extirpated in the 1980s.
Understanding their habitat preference, movement patterns and spawning sites through field work and research, coupled with a strategic stocking program has helped bolster populations of this prehistoric species in many waters in the state. The ultimate goal is to get these populations to a point where they’re self-sustaining and eventually removed from a threatened status in New York.
Recently, lake sturgeon was reviewed for listing under the authority of the federal Endangered Species Act. DEC and our recovery partners contributed data and comments to the federal review. This led to a finding of “listing not warranted.” Way to go Team Sturgeon!
