A Michigan Passport is required for entry to the park and may be purchased there. Keep in mind during hunting season to be aware of hunters in the area. Hunting is allowed from September 15 until April 1st each year.
Acipenser fulvescens
Lake sturgeon
Key Characteristics
Lake sturgeon are characterized by a robust, torpedo-shaped body covered by five rows of bony plates or scutes. The snout is cone-shaped with four barbells preceding a ventral mouth. The tail is asymmetrical with a longer upper lobe (heterocercal).
Habitat
Lake sturgeon are generally benthic species and occur in large rivers and shallow areas of large lakes. They are most often associated with unvegetated deep run and pool habitats (>5ft) in rivers (Hay-Chmielewski and Whelan 1997). In lakes, habitat use varies and depends on availability. Spawning often occurs in gravel bottom streams, but rocky, wave-swept lake shore and islands areas are also used when riverine habitats are unavailable.
Specific Habitat Needs
Cobble substrate needed in Mainstem Stream (3rd-4th order), Riffle, River (5th-6th order), Riffle, River (5th-6th order), Pool, River (5th-6th order), Run, Great Lake, Littoral, Benthic, Great Lake, Littoral, Midwater Organic matter substrates needed in River (5th-6th order), Pool, River (5th-6th order), Run, Great Lake, Littoral, Benthic, Great Lake, Littoral, Midwater Sandy substrate needed in River (5th-6th order), Pool, River (5th-6th order), Run, Great Lake, Littoral, Benthic, Great Lake, Littoral, Midwater