Lake sturgeon released into rivers in central Michigan

MIDLAND, Michigan (WNEM) – People of all ages came together to help restore Michigan's once-great sturgeon population.

On Friday, August 16, 125 juvenile fish were released into the Tittabawassee River in Midland by the Chippewa Nature Center.

It is part of a project with the Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University and many others.

The fish came from the Black Lake and river system in the north, where there is a stable population.

Sturgeon can grow up to 2.13 m long and weigh up to 136 kg.

“They're just extremely resilient fish. They've survived everything that wiped out the dinosaurs. You know, huge meteorite impacts, the ice ages and everything that's happened out here from human activities over the last 150 years or so, and they're tough. They're pretty resilient fish,” said Jim Boase of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Sturgeon were also released into the Shiawassee River at Cole Park in Chesaning, the Flint River at Paddlers' Landing in Flint, and the Cass River at the Gunzenhausen Walkway in Frankenmuth.

There will be another release in September.

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