A cross section of a lake sturgeon displayed at the Detroit Science Center. - Photo by Dr. Jennifer Reed, Michigan Sea Grant

It has been four years since researchers from Michigan Sea Grant, USGS, Michigan DNR, and the Service first sat down to brainstorm on the idea of constructing an artificial lake sturgeon spawning reef in the Detroit River.  Those early planning meetings, the research that followed, construction of the reefs, and the history of lake sturgeon were highlighted in a documentary titled “Giants in the River” which aired on Detroit Public Television on April 30^th. 

Researchers and partners from Michigan Sea Grant, USGS, Michigan DNR, DTE Energy, JJR Consulting, and the Service were interviewed in the documentary. 

A special screening of the documentary along with a special lake sturgeon exhibit was held at the Detroit Science Center the week prior to the airing.  Patricia Chargot a Detroit Free Press Staff Writer covered the story for the paper (www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060427/YAK01/604270339/1073/YAK). 

Project Director Jennifer Read (Michigan Sea Grant) hosted the event and Sea Grant developed the exhibit at the Center, as well as a web site. For more information, see the Sturgeon Web site at www.miseagrant.umich.edu/sturgeon/sturgeon_exhibit.html. 

The site includes information about the exhibit, the history of lake sturgeon and a sturgeon quiz. 

All of the partners involved in the project attended the screening.  John Hartig, Manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge (DRIWR) and James Boase, Alpena FRO Fishery Biologist represented the Service.  From February until August, teachers, students and fishing enthusiasts, will find a life-sized lake sturgeon model, and can pick up a copy of the documentary on DVD at the Center.