6 years in the water: Genesee River NY Lake Sturgeon experiment

The Genesee River in New York was identified as a possible target water for lake sturgeon restoration based on significant historic presence.  The river’s lower 9km is in the EPA designated Rochester Embayment Area of Concern.  One management tool used in threatened species conservation is the experimental stocking of hatchery-reared fish into areas where the original populations have been extirpated for an applied evaluation of the current available habitat suitability.  After determining that habitat suitability model scores were acceptable, the river received 1,900 marked fall fingerlings, 2003-2004.   By July of 2009, 733 individuals had been recaptured and tagged.  Average catch rate was 2 to 4 sturgeon per net/night, with 16 to 18 captured in single nets. Yearly multiple recaptures of tagged sturgeon have allowed analysis of individual growth patterns. The average size of captured sturgeon in July 2009 was 65.8 cm & 1.589 kg.  The largest 6 year old was 97.2 cm and 5.65 kg.  Growth rates and catch rates are comparable to or higher than other locations in the species native range.  Results of this research in the Genesee River will provide information needed for future steps in the restoration of lake sturgeon in tributaries of Lake Ontario.