Ecology and biology of the lake sturgeon: A synthesis of current knowledge of a threatened North American Acipenseridae

Abstract

The lake sturgeon is one of the largest North American freshwater fish and was once common in most inland rivers and lakes of the US and Canadian Midwest. World demand for caviar and sturgeon meat led to a dramatic decline of lake sturgeon populations throughout much of its range. Along with overfishing, lake sturgeon populations have been negatively affected by habitat degradation. Recruitment factors and early life history are poorly understood. Today, renewed interest in lake sturgeon restoration has led to numerous state and federally-funded research activities. Research has focused on identifying and assessing the size structure of remnant stocks, the availability of spawning habitat, and factors affecting reproductive success. Additional studies are needed to improve hatchery techniques, to better understand recruitment mechanisms, and how genetic diversity among and within meta-populations may affect long-term recovery of depleted populations. © Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2006.