As part of a 20-year program to re-establish lake sturgeon into the Red River basin, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stocked 220,000 lake sturgeon fry into the Red Lake and Roseau rivers in May.

Stocking and barrier removal are the two primary components of the restoration plan for lake sturgeon in Minnesota. This is the third year these waters have been stocked. The DNR purchased "eyed" eggs from the Rainy River First Nations fish hatchery in Emo, Ontario. The eggs, which are partially developed fish embryos with developed eyes, were transported to the DNR fish hatchery in Detroit Lakes. Hatched over the May 20 weekend, the fry are approximately 5/8-inch long when they were stocked. Both of the sites stocked – near Red Lake Falls on the Red River and near Caribou on the Roseau River – are historical spawning locations for the once-abundant Red River lake sturgeon.

In late September, the DNR will be stocking Big Detroit Lake, Otter Tail Lake, Buffalo River and Otter Tail River with 6- to 8-inch sturgeon fingerlings. These fish will come from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hatchery in LaCrosse, Wis., as part of a cooperative fish rearing agreement. The stocking program has been coordinated through the Red River Fisheries Steering Committee and approved by natural resource officials from Minnesota, North Dakota and Manitoba. The goal of the stocking program is to establish a self-sustaining population in 20 to 25 years. The long recovery timeframe is a consequence of the slow sexual maturity of lake sturgeon; females mature when they are about 26 to 27 years old and only spawn once every four to nine years.

Recently, an angler reported catching a 9- to 10-inch sturgeon at the North Dam in Fargo. A large sturgeon was observed by DNR Fisheries staff in the Pelican River near Detroit Lakes. These sightings are encouraging and provide evidence the restoration program is working.

If anglers catch or observe a sturgeon in the Red River or one of its tributaries, DNR fisheries managers encourage them to contact a local fisheries office to report the sightings. These observations are very important to tracking the success of the restoration program.

Anglers are also reminded that there is no open season for lake sturgeon on the Red River or its tributaries.

Along with stocking of sturgeon, the DNR is working with many partners to remove or modify dams blocking fish passage to critical spawning sites in the Red River basin. The Crookston Dam was recently removed on the Red Lake River. This opened the Red Lake River to fish passage up to Thief River Falls. The Argyle Dam on the Middle River is scheduled to be removed in 2006.

These projects will make the Red River system a more productive fishery. Additional benefits of dam removal include increased public safety and the aesthetic appeal of the constructed rapids.

MN DNR

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