Population Demographics of Lake Sturgeon in the Upper Mississippi River

Nationwide, many lake sturgeon populations have experienced declines due to habitat degradation and commercial overexploitation. Channelization, river training structures, levees, and dams have altered traditional habitats leading to reduced populations. Furthermore, commercial overexploitation was especially prominent on lake sturgeon, which exhibit late age at maturation and periodic spawning.  By the mid-1900s lake sturgeon populations in the Mississippi River were considered incapable of recovery. Therefore, in 1974 Missouri designated lake sturgeon as a state endangered species. After listing, the Missouri Department of Conservation developed a recovery plan for lake sturgeon in attempts to restore the population. Since the development of the recovery plan an enormous amount of information has been obtained about lake sturgeon in Missouri.  According to recent studies, frequent population assessments are necessary to monitor the population status and to detect changes. However, we have not yet evaluated the dynamic rate functions of this population. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess the lake sturgeon population in the Upper Mississippi River and observe changes in their population since the recovery plan has been implemented.  This information will be used to determine the feasibility of a future limited-entry recreational lake sturgeon fishery in the upper Mississippi River.