Background Information
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes located in North America. It is bordered by the province of Ontario to the north in Canada, and the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota to the south in the U.S. With a surface area of 82,103 square kilometers, it is the largest body of fresh water in the world by surface area and it contains the most freshwater in the world. As such, it is a major hub for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and camping.
In its depths Lake Superior is full of life. It is an important spawning ground for several fish species, including its biggest fish species, the lake sturgeon. The lake sturgeon is an ancient fish species and is the largest fish in Lake Superior. It is believed to have existed for over 150 million years and can live up to 150 years in the lake.
Size and Weight
The lake sturgeon is a massive fish, measuring up to 2.4 metres in length and weighing as much as 90 kilograms. It has an elongated body with an upright head, and its eyes are on the top of its head. It has a long back, with four barbels (whiskers) on its bottom lip, and its mouth is located underneath its head. Its eyes are small and its skin is rough and covered with bony plates. The lake sturgeon is the largest freshwater species in North America and is considered to be a threatened species in some parts of its range.
Distribution
The lake sturgeon has a wide distribution throughout the Great Lakes, from Lake Superior in the west to Lake Ontario in the east. Its range extends as far north as Hudson Bay and as far south as Wisconsin and Illinois. It is also found in some smaller lakes and rivers in Canada, including the Winnipeg River system in Manitoba and the St. Lawrence River. The lake sturgeon is native to North America and its North American range is the widest of all lake sturgeon species.
Habitat and Behaviour
The lake sturgeon is found in a variety of habitats, including shallow water at the lake’s edge, deep water in the middle of the lake, and rivers. The lake sturgeon is an ambush predator and primarily feeds on small invertebrates and occasionally on small fish. It also uses its barbels to detect prey in the water. It is a slow moving fish and can remain stationary for long periods of time while searching for prey.
The lake sturgeon reproduces in early spring and can live up to 150 years in its native habitat. Female lake sturgeon can grow up to 2.4 metres in length and weigh up to 90 kilograms. The lake sturgeon is a long-lived species, and it is estimated that the oldest lake sturgeon in Lake Superior is over one hundred years old.
Population and Threated Status
The population of the lake sturgeon in Lake Superior is thought to have declined due to over fishing and habitat destruction caused by human activities. Over fishing of the species occurred in the late 19th century, when it was a popular commercial species. The loss of spawning habitats due to dam construction, dredging, erosion, and shoreline development has also contributed to the decline of the species. Over the past few decades, efforts to conserve the species and protect its habitat have led to a gradual increase in population numbers.
The lake sturgeon is currently listed as a species of special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada and is listed as threatened by aquaculture licensee in Minnesota. It is also listed as threatened in Wisconsin.
Conservation Strategies
In order to protect and conserve the lake sturgeon in Lake Superior, many conservation strategies have been implemented. These include fisheries management plans, habitat protection and restoration, fishing regulations and limits, stocking programs, and public awareness campaigns. Fisheries management plans are designed to maintain healthy fish populations and ensure that there are enough fish for anglers who enjoy fishing for the species.
Habitat protection and restoration efforts have also been undertaken to protect the lake sturgeon from habitat destruction caused by human activities such as shoreline development and dredging. Fishing regulations and limits are also in place to prevent over fishing of the lake sturgeon. Stocking programs, where lake sturgeon are released into the lake, can also help to boost the population numbers. Finally, public awareness campaigns are designed to educate people about the lake sturgeon and the need to protect it.
Conclusion
The lake sturgeon is the largest fish species in Lake Superior and is an important species in the lake’s ecosystem. It is a long-lived species and can live up to 150 years in its native habitat. Over the past few decades, the population of the lake sturgeon in Lake Superior has declined due to over fishing and habitat destruction caused by human activities. However, conservation efforts such as fisheries management plans, habitat protection and restoration, fishing regulations and limits, stocking programs, and public awareness campaigns have been implemented in order to protect the lake sturgeon and its habitat.
