Approximately 6,240 endangered pallid sturgeon were successfully stocked into the Missouri River during 2007. Stocking events such as these are only possible with the  cooperation and assistance from various state and federal agencies. 

The pallid sturgeon were raised at three federal hatcheries (Garrison, Gavin’s Point and Neosho).  All of the fish received marks (Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags, Elastomere tags, coded wire tags or scute removal) that will enable their identification as hatchery origin fish if captured by monitoring crews at later dates. 

Many provided assistance to ensure that all the fish were tagged prior to stocking.  A total of 4,242 pallid sturgeon were stocked in May.  Average length of these 2006 year class fish was 7 inches. 

The other 2,000 fish were from the 2007 year class (3 inch average) and were stocked in October.  All fish were stocked in the Missouri River above Kansas City, MO.  Tracy Hill, Project Leader at the Columbia National Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, coordinated the hatchery stocking for the Fish and Wildlife Service with state agencies. This stocking is a partnership effort of the Service and many other agencies to recover pallid sturgeon from endangered status.