Genoa National Fish Hatchery raises tens of thousands of Lake Sturgeon every year for restoration efforts across the country. We currently raise Lake Sturgeon from the Wolf River, Sturgeon River, Rainy River, St. Clair River, and St. Lawrence River. These fish are stocked in Tennessee, Minnesota, Ohio, and New York. All egg collections were successful and have produced fry. These fry feed on a yolk sac for ~14 days and once that is used up they are given brine shrimp (Artemia) as a food source. They will continue to eat brine shrimp for ~4 weeks then they are then fed bloodworms (Chironomidae) for ~8 weeks and finally krill (Euphausiidae) for ~6 weeks. Beginning in mid-August Lake Sturgeon will be tagged using coded wire tags while others are tagged with PIT tags and a few with acoustic tags. This is done with help from federal, state, and tribal partners along with many volunteers that all speed countless hours tagging these fish. Once that is complete the Lake Sturgeon will be ready to head to their new homes in the wild to produce the next generation.

By: Jadon Motquin

Photo: Photo: About 40 blue circular tanks inside a building and small fish in a tank. Photo credit: USFWS.