Reintroduction of the Lake Sturgeon in Georgia

The Coosa River system in Georgia and Alabama was considered the southernmost range of the lake sturgeon in North America. Based on general consensus, the original lake sturgeon population was extirpated from the Coosa River basin around 1970. In 1997, Georgia Department of Natural Resources formed an advisory committee to explore the possibility of reintroducing lake sturgeon into the Coosa River basin. GDNR assessed the historical distribution and initiated a media campaign to collect historical information from the public. The solicitation of sturgeon accounts from the public was successful in producing a number of historical accounts of the species.

GDNR implemented a multifaceted restoration plan that addressed stocking, and sturgeon/human interactions. The goal was to establish a reproducing population that supported a sport fishery. This restoration initiative is accomplished through collaboration among Wisconsin DNR, USFWS, ADCNR and GDNR. Research was conducted to optimize hatchery production, evaluate growth, survival, habitat use, movement and diet. GDNR established a long term monitoring program to track growth and survival.

Educational outreach is an integral component to assure support for this effort. Outreach is through school programs, signage, press releases, web site, fishing regulation guide, newspaper articles, radio and TV interviews. Angler reports reveal that sturgeon are now distributed throughout their pre-1950 Coosa basin range.