Wisconsin Fishes: Sturgeon

Sturgeon are living fossils, appearing first about 136 million years ago when the dinosaurs still roamed the earth. They have retained many primitive characteristics that have been lost or modified in other modern-day fishes.

Nineteenth century commercial fishermen considered them a nuisance for tearing their nets, and they slaughtered them, tossing them on shore to rot. Twentieth century fishermen valued their flesh and eggs and harvested them by the ton. Where will their place in the 21st century reside?

Two species of sturgeon inhabit Wisconsin waters, the lake sturgeon and shovelnose sturgeon. Read on to learn more about these aquatic, swimming dinosaurs.

Wisconsin's Sturgeon Quick Facts

• Lake sturgeon
• Shovelnose sturgeon

For more information, please contact:
Karl Scheidegger, Staff Specialist
(608) 267-9426