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Lake Sturgeon

Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) Fish Description

The Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) or Rock Sturgeon is a freshwater gamefish found in almost all water systems across North America. It is also sometimes called the “Prehistoric Fish” as it’s been found that, according to fossil records, it already existed since the Cretaceous period about two hundred million years ago. They are also known for their long lifespan with males reaching up to fifty-five years while females can reach more than a century.

Aside from being the oldest native freshwater fish on the continent, it is also the largest. Females are often much bigger than males as they can measure up to nine feet long and weighing a little more than three hundred pounds. Males, on the other hand, have been known to reach only six feet in length. The biggest verified catch, however, measured eight feet long and weighed three hundred pounds. It was caught in Lake Michigan way back in 1943.

Lake Sturgeons easily be identified because of their rather menacing appearance as well as their size. These freshwater behemoths have a long, sleek body that’s greenish to grey in color. It doesn’t have scales, rather, rows of spiny plates on the sides that act as armor that protects them from abrasions and predators. Much like sharks and rays, most of their bones are cartilaginous, making their body a bit more flexible, which helps them fit into crevices at the bottom of lakes and rivers as they forage for food. And with the help of their four barbels (whisker-like organs) located in the front of their mouth, they can “feel” their way around the lake and river beds and locate their diet, which consists mainly of insects, worms, snails, crayfish, and small fishes.

Interesting Facts About Lake Sturgeon

• The biggest Lake Sturgeon caught on record measured eight feet long and weighed more than three hundred pounds.
• The world record fish was caught by a sports angler in Lake Michigan in 1943.  
• Despite its intimidating size and appearance, the Lake Sturgeon is a docile creature.
• They eat by sucking their mostly bottom-dwelling preys into their retractable mouth.
• They have been known to jump in the air during the spawning season.
• They have one of the longest lifespans among freshwater fish with some individuals known to live for more than a century.
• They are also sometimes called “Prehistoric Fish” as fossil records have shown they already existed since dinosaurs still roam the earth.
• They are mostly targeted for their tasty meat and eggs, which are made into caviar by curing in salt.
• Lake Sturgeon populations were once healthy in The Great Lakes but have seen a drastic decline from the late 1800s up to now. 
• The population dropped due to overfishing and pollution as well as the construction of man-made structures near and on the waters, which destroyed their natural habitat.
• Strict regulations, including fishing limitations for both sport and commercial fishers, were placed to help with the species’ population recovery.
• Other population recovery measures have also been taken, including taking eggs from their habitat and brought to hatcheries until they reach their juvenile stage when they would be released back into the wild.
• Lake Sturgeon populations have recently reached “safe” levels

Lake Sturgeon Average Size and Swimming Speed

Although there were some reports of Lake Sturgeons reaching six to nine feet long, these sizes are quite rare. Most that can be fished today can only reach three to six feet and weigh between thirty to one hundred pounds on average. Also, Lake Sturgeons can often be seen swimming slowly on river and lake beds, but they can swim quickly in short bursts if they have to, especially when they feel threatened.

Where to Find Them - Habitat and Distribution

They were once abundant in the Great Lakes. And though the populations have grown since regulations were placed, their numbers haven’t fully recovered yet. Aside from the Great Lakes, you can find them in the Mississippi River drainage basin south to Alabama and Mississippi. You may also check out Detroit River and up north to Lake St Clare. You can also fish up north in Canada via Lake Winnipeg as well as both North and South Saskatchewan Rivers and even as far north as the Hudson Bay Lowlands. They are also said to be abundant in Lake Champlain and various Vermont rivers as well as in the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Lake sturgeons are bottom-dwellers, meaning they prefer sandy or gravel habitat at the bottom of a river or lake bed from where they forage for food. That said, you will have a better chance of hooking one near deep holes, eddies and along drop offs.

Lake Sturgeon Fishing Tips

Lake Sturgeons are quite huge so you will need to use tackle that is strong and sturdy enough to handle a fish that weighs 100 pounds or more. You may also need a big landing net and gloves not only because of their size but because they have rough skin as well as bony plates with razor sharp spines, which, of course, can be painful if they made contact with your bare skin. As for bait, a glob of nightcrawlers would be enough to lure these behemoths into your trap. 

Walleye

Walleye (Sander Vitreus) Description

Walleye are freshwater fish that is a part of the perch family. They are a very popular game fish for the angler in the regions where they are found, and also a favorite for the dining table. Walleye are long and thin and have a golden and olive coloring with white bellies. One predominant feature of the walleye is its eyes, which have a silver eyeshine called the tapetum lucidum.  This eyeshine greatly aids the walleyes when feeding in low-light conditions. 

Walleye Habitat and Distribution 

Walleye live in a wide range of habitats. In small to large rivers, to deep and shallow lakes. They are fairly particular to where they like to be in these bodies of water and see out sand, rock, or gravel bottoms. Walleye will usually stay deeper in the water column during daylight hours and use weeds, timber, or other structures for cover. In River systems, they will likely spend their daylight hours in deep holes and drop-offs, and move out into the shallows to seek forage during the lowlight period. Walleyes can tolerate water temperatures from 32 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit but are most comfortable when water temperatures are at 70 degrees. Walleye are nocturnal creatures that feed in shallow waters at night. Adult walleye primarily consume other fish. Small crustaceans and insects, primarily mayflies, are eaten by young walleye.

Walleye are found in the Arctic south of Canada down to the Great Lakes region and east to the St. Lawrence systems. Lake Erie is a well-known home of walleye anglers and great walleye fishing. The Midwest and Canada are the most popular areas with the best fishing, but over decades the species has been introduced artificially into lakes and reservoirs all over North America. The breathtaking waters of Lake of the Woods and Rainy River have earned the title of "Walleye Capital of the World." It has some of the best fishing in the world, and anglers come here year after year in search of that elusive record catch.

Typical Size and Weight

Walleye are reasonably large fish with a sleek and conical body shapes and a mouth lined with sharp teeth. the adult walleye can grow to 30 inches or more in length and top out at around 20 pounds in weight. Females generally grow larger than males. 

Interesting Facts 

The Walleye also has a European counterpart, the zander, that looks very similar but the zander can grow much larger and can reach a weight of 40 plus pounds. 

The walleye can live for decades, with the oldest recorded fish being 29 years old. In areas with heavy fishing pressure however, Walleye usually don’t live past 5 or 6 years of age. 

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Walleye

Walleye can be a challenging game fish to pursue. Their location in a body of water and the tactics used to catch these fish can vary depending on certain times of the year. Walleye generally live at depths of 10 feet or greater, though in the spring and at night they can be found in shallow water areas. Freshwater fishing for walleye is best in the evening when minnow-style lures or jigs are fished near the bottom over rock piles or along the edges of weed beds.

Finding the fish is one of the biggest challenges for the walleye angler and the best place to start it by fishing structure. The angler should search multiple types of structure at varying depths to figure out where the walleye are on any given day. Be sure to check break lines, deep weed edges rock piles, and even in the middle of the basin for suspended schools of baitfish. With a little bit of time on water exploration, you will find the Walleye population.

Live bait is the key to successful Walleye catches such as minnows, nightcrawlers, and leeches.  One of the best techniques is a live bait rig, to which you troll your lure slowly along the bottom. These rigs include a ¼ or a ½ pound sinker, a swivel, a 3 - 6 foot leader of a 6-pound fishing line, and a No. 4 or 6 hook.

Is Walleye Good to Eat

Walleye is a delicious fish making it a popular choice among seafood lovers. The mild, flaky texture of the fish along with its sweet, buttery flavor is enough to make anyone's mouth water. This makes walleye an excellent ingredient that pairs well with a wide variety of dishes. Whether you fry or grill it, walleye never fails to impress with its delicious taste. So, if you're looking for a healthy and tasty addition to your meals, walleye is definitely the way to go!

Walleye meat has a firm texture that holds up well to cooking methods such as grilling, frying, or baking. Its mild taste can be enhanced by seasoning it with herbs and spices or marinating it in your favorite sauce. Walleye also has low levels of mercury and other harmful contaminants, making it safe to eat regularly.
When preparing walleye, remove the skin and bones before cooking. This will give you a clean fillet.

However, it's not just its flavor that makes it so popular. Walleye is also a very nutrient-dense food that provides numerous health benefits. It's rich in omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and selenium, all of which are essential for maintaining optimal health. Omega-3s are known to reduce inflammation in the body and improve heart health, while B vitamins play a crucial role in energy production and maintaining a healthy nervous system. Selenium is an important mineral that helps protect against oxidative damage and supports the immune system. By adding Walleye to your diet, you not only get the pleasure of savoring a delicious meal but also the nutritional benefits that come along with it. So, go ahead and indulge in this delectable fish to keep your body healthy and functioning at its best.