Comparative assessment of lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) spawning habitat on the upper Black River and Sturgeon River

Abstract

Lake Sturgeon are key members of freshwater lake system as well as culturally significant. In the northern part of Michigan's lower peninsula efforts to encourage the growth of the sturgeon population in Burt lake have been initiated through increased environmental awareness and limited fishing quotas. This study analyzed habitat parameters vital to lake sturgeon development including substrate composition and embeddedness of particles, substrate and average velocity, and similarity of benthic macroinvertebrates at known sturgeon spawning habitats in the Black River compared to sites on the Sturgeon River. Results showed that based on habitat parameter ranges defined by past research and data collected on the Black River, spawning of lake sturgeon on the Sturgeon River is likely viable and could potentially be improved though the addition on cobble to the substrate. Further study of spawning habitats during spring spawning season are essential to determining the practicality of implementing habitat management methods.