Propagation of pallid sturgeon is an important component of the Recovery Plan for this endangered species. Brood stock collection is a collaborative effort with multiple agencies and offices involved in collection, transportation and holding of the fish. As part of this effort, Columbia FRO has been collecting local wild brood stock that will be spawned at Neosho National Fish Hatchery.  The Brood stock collection season started with a bang when a suspected gravid female “Taylor” was captured on March 6^th. She was named for “Taylor’s Landing”, the local boat ramp.

Fishery Biologist Jennifer Johnson holding pallid sturgeon collected in Missouri River.

A second wild pallid sturgeon was captured in the same area of the Missouri River near Boonville, Missouri on March 19th.  Crew members included Nick Frohnauer (Crew Leader), Andy Starostka (Team Leader) and Jennifer Johnson (Technician).  This large (35 inches) and lean (5 pounds) pallid is likely a male or a non spawning female.  The fish was captured off the tip of a wing-dike on an outside bend in a three inch multifilament gill net. The fish was kept secured in the river until hatchery biologists arrived later in the day.  It was transported to the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, Neosho, Missouri by Missouri Department of Conservation, Blind Pony Fish Hatchery personnel. The fish will be evaluated for use in the spawning effort for the propagation program.

Reporter Sara Agnew and a photographer from the Columbia Tribune were present when this fish was captured.  The Columbia Tribune ran an article of the propagation efforts to recover this species on March 27th in the Columbia Tribune. The article can be found at:  http://archive.columbiatribune.com/2007/mar/20070329news001.asp .