Biological Science Aid Meghan Kline and volunteer John Larsen hold a lake strugeon captured on the St. Marys River. - Photo by Scott Koproski

Field work continued through July for the St. Marys River lake sturgeon project.  Alpena FRO Fishery Biologist Scott Koproski obtained funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to implant and track lake sturgeon within the St. Marys River. 

Lake Superior State University (LSSU), Bay Mills Indian Community, and the Soo Area Sportsman Club are partners on this project.  The goal of the project is to capture adult lake sturgeon, surgically implant sonic telemetry tags in adult fish, and identify critical habitat within the St. Marys River.

Funds obtained from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation were used to purchase necessary equipment and hire a student in the Service’s Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP).  Biological Science Aid Meghan Kline was selected as the STEP employee and began working on May 15^th. 

Kline has been overseeing and coordinating all field activities with partners and volunteers working on this project.  In addition to the partners, we have had 30 different volunteers involved in this project.  The volunteers have either worked on the Service’s vessel during field activities or provided their vessel to complete that day’s field work.

Since the week of May 15^th set-lines have been fished weekly in various reaches of the St. Marys River.  To date, 299 set lines have been lifted yielding 73 lake sturgeon. 

Basic biological data was recorded from all lake sturgeon encountered and 10 fish have had a sonic telemetry tag implanted.  Lake sturgeon received a sonic telemetry tag if their length exceeded 50 inches. 

Several lake sturgeon captured in June and July exceeded the 50 inch minimum but did not receive a sonic telemetry tag due to elevated water temperatures.  Once the water temperature exceeded 20 degrees Celsius all surgery ceased in order to minimize stress on these fish. 

Of the 10 fish that have had a sonic telemetry tag implanted, staff have tracked their movement on a regular basis, during the summer.  Most of the fish have remained relatively close to the initial capture location.  A few fish, however, have moved quite a distance within a few days. 

One fish was at large for several weeks, but LSSU staff were able to locate that fish about 5 miles down river from the initial capture location.  That fish has since moved back upstream and has been found quite close to its initial capture location. 

Alpena FRO and LSSU staff will continue to track the implanted fish, at least weekly, until the river freezes.  After the river opens up again next spring, staff will begin looking for the fish again. 

This project was funded for one year, however, additional funds are being sought to continue this important work.  The battery life of the tags is four years.  Staff hope that the implanted fish will lead them to spawning habitat within the St. Marys River in subsequent years.  If continued funding is obtained staff plan on implanting up to 10 more fish next season.