Each spring, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and partners prepare for their annual lake sturgeon egg takes. By collecting gametes (the name for milt and eggs prior to fertilization) from spawn-ready lake sturgeon, USFWS can give new generations of this prehistoric species a strong start and reintroduce them at locations throughout the Great Lakes basin.
The goal is to eventually reach a point where lake sturgeon are re-established in enough places and reproducing sufficiently on their own that reintroductions are no longer necessary. Although the populations have not fully recovered, funding partially provided by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative is being used to build upon this 40-year-old restoration program and enable more successful reintroductions.
To learn more, visit USFWS’ website: Giving lake sturgeon a strong start.