Lake Sturgeon Management
As of April 2004, the harvest of lake sturgeon in all Alberta waters is closed. A review of sturgeon populations led to the species being listed as "threatened" and in need of protection. The sale of sturgeon fishing licences and associated tags has been discontinued until further notice. Sturgeon caught must be immediately released in a manner that causes the least amount of harm to the fish.
In 2003, a South Saskatchewan River lake sturgeon study was conducted by a M.Sc. student at the University of Alberta.
Sampling was by angling and took place between May 9 and October 3, 2003. Each sturgeon was measured for total and fork length, girth, and weight. A green or pink spaghetti-type tag was attached to the base of the dorsal fin and a small section of the left marginal pectoral fin ray was removed for age assessment.
In total, 540 lake sturgeon were sampled, and 30 of those were recaptures. Length of the sampled sturgeon ranged from 42 to 170 cm, with an average of 111 cm. Weights ranged from 8 ounces to 64 pounds, with an average weight of 18.5 pounds. Ages ranged from 2 to 64years old. Twelve percent of the sturgeon were older than 25, with only one percent being older than 33 years.
Tag return data provide valuable information on sturgeon movements, which aids in assessing the population. Recording the number of tagged sturgeon to untagged fish caught also provides information to staff.
If you catch a Lake Sturgeon with a tag, it is very important
that you leave
it in the fish, and write down the tag number, location and date.
Please contact Terry Clayton, Area Fisheries Biologist, Lethbridge
