White Earth biologists and volunteers, along with USFWS fishery biologists, net lake sturgeon on White Earth Lake. - USFWS photo by Scott Yess

During the first week of October, biologists from the White Earth Department of Natural Resources and the LaCrosse Fishery Resources Office surveyed White Earth Lake for lake sturgeon.  This was the second monitoring effort for lake sturgeon since a lake sturgeon reintroduction project was initiated in 2001.  Since that time, more than 36,000 fingerling lake sturgeon have been stocked in White Earth Lake and 23,000 into Round Lake.  The majority of these fish were raised by Genoa National Fish Hatchery.

The restoration effort continues to show increased numbers and growth.  A total of 15 lake sturgeon were collected in White Earth Lake in 2005 which is a significant increase from 2003 when only two were collected.  A majority of the fish were similar in size, ranging from 315mm (12”) to 386mm (15”).  One large fish was collected measuring 688mm (27”).  White Earth DNR had three other reports of juvenile lake sturgeon being caught on hook and line.  These are all great signs of success for lake sturgeon restoration on the Red River Watershed. 

On a related effort, the Minnesota DNR netted 19 lake sturgeon on Round Lake this summer.  Round Lake is currently the only other lake on the White Earth Reservation being stocked with lake sturgeon.  Size ranged from 200mm (8”) to 600mm (24”).  During the 2003 netting survey, conducted by White Earth DNR and LaCrosse FRO, only four lake sturgeon were collected on Round Lake. 

The 2005 data will be the basis for a fishery status report that will be prepared by spring. This report will update recommendations addressing lake sturgeon restoration on the White Earth Reservation.