Who Dumped a Sturgeon on the Road? DNR Investigates
After more than 30 years of recovery efforts, Michigan’s lake sturgeon population continues to increase. Now, the DNR is seeking information about a 6-foot sturgeon illegally dumped along a roadway.
Lake Sturgeon Populations Continue to Rise in Michigan
Lake sturgeon were never completely eliminated from Michigan waters, but the populations were nearly wiped out, declining to just 1% of historic levels due to overfishing and habitat degradation.
In 1994, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources established legal protections for lake sturgeon, helping put the species on a path toward recovery. While commercial harvest is prohibited, anglers may keep one sturgeon per season on designated waters.
Read More: Black Lake Sturgeon Season: What Anglers Need to Know
This recovery marks a significant turnaround for a species with an incredibly slow life cycle. Males typically take about 15 years to mature, while females may require 20 to 25 years. The loss of these long-lived fish through poaching or needless killing is especially troubling, as males can live up to 55 years and females can survive 80 to 150 years.
Sturgeon Found Dumped on Road, DNR Asks for Tips
According to a Michigan Department of Natural Resources press release, a 71-inch lake sturgeon was found abandoned on Durham Road in Whitehall between midnight and 5:30 a.m. on July 17, 2026. The DNR believes the fish was likely snagged in the White River based on damage found to its gill plate.
The DNR is asking the public's help in locating the poacher. If you have any information call or text 800-292-7800 or report it online to the DNR's Report All Poaching Hotline.
👇BELOW: Different Types Of Sturgeon Around The World👇
Different Types Of Sturgeon Around The World
Gallery Credit: Clay Moden
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