Lake Sturgeon Not Listed as Endangered by U.S. Wildlife Officials

Despite conservation concerns, federal officials cite successful stocking programs for the decision not to list lake sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act.

• Federal officials announced that lake sturgeon do not require Endangered Species Act protection, attributing the decision to effective stocking programs which have restored populations in several rivers.
• The Center for Biological Diversity's 2018 petition to list the species as endangered has been denied, allowing continued regulated fishing seasons in states like Wisconsin and Michigan.
• Habitat restoration and dam removal efforts have been credited with aiding the recovery of lake sturgeon, alongside the successful stocking initiatives.
• Officials acknowledge that while lake sturgeon populations are not at historical levels, they are sufficiently rebounding and do not warrant emergency protection measures.
• The species, known for their longevity and size, are considered living fossils, having first appeared around 136 million years ago.

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