Pod of lake sturgeon spawning in the shallows FWS photo

Biologists collecting information from returning sturgeon FWS photo

People from across the country are drawn to eastern Wisconsin every spring to witness one of nature's most impressive events, the Wolf River sturgeon spawning run. Thousands of lake sturgeon, some approaching 6 feet long and weighing over 200 pounds, migrate up the Wolf River yearly to reproduce.  The Wolf River system contains one of the largest and healthiest lake sturgeon populations remaining in the country.  It is also one of the state's most prized and studied possessions, with biologists from across the country gathering to study sturgeon reproductive biology.  Sturgeon enthusiasts study everything from propagation techniques to milt cryopreservation in attempts to restore this long-lived species to its historic range. 

Lake sturgeon are listed as threatened in many states due to barriers that limit access to traditional spawning sites, over-fishing,  pollution and habitat destruction. Lake sturgeon reach production age at 18 to 22 years old, and therefore recovery of decling populations can take many years.  The Genoa National Fish Hatchery, in cooperation with the LaCrosse Fishery Resource Office, the LaCrosse Fish Health Center, the Menominee Indian Tribe and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, has worked to restore lake sturgeon on Reservation land since 1994. 

The Genoa National Fish Hatchery restocked Menominee Reservation waters with cultured sturgeon from the lower Wolf River, which has established new population ins Legend Lake. This is the first time sturgeon have been released in Reservation waters since 1892.  Through these cooperative efforts, Lake Sturgeon can once again be found in waters of the Menominee Reservation, and an important species to the Menominee tribe and the people of Wisconsin is being restored to its native range.