Fingerling in hand Larvae with ruler showing less than 2 centimeters long Ageing cross section Sturgeon Eggs

Life History Information

  • On average lake sturgeon live for 40 to 60 years, grow to 90-150 cm (3-5 ft) and weigh 10-35kg (20-90 lbs).
  • A very old lake sturgeon may be over a hundred years old, weigh 135kg (300 lbs) and grow to a length of 2.5m (8 ft).
  • Slow growers
    • Sturgeon are slow growing fish. In the Saskatchewan River this slow growth is partly due to the cold water temperatures.
    • Sturgeon grow throughout their entire lifetime. Much like a tree, sturgeon lay down growth rings in their pectoral (front side) fins as they grow. A cross section of this fin allows you to discover the age of the sturgeon.
  • Late Spawners
    • Lake sturgeon do not reproduce until the males are about 15-20 years old and the females are 25-30 years old. This makes sturgeon populations very vulnerable to over-harvest.
    • Sturgeon spawn in the late spring once water temperature reaches 11 C and each female can produce up to 1 million eggs.