DEC urges caution handling sturgeon

The state Department of Environmental Conservation is urging anglers to safely release any lake sturgeon they catch, and has offered guidelines on how to handle the fish without harming them.

Lake sturgeon are classified as a threatened species in the state, and possessing one can garner up to a $250 fine and 15 days of jail time, according to DEC Region 6 spokesman Stephen W. Litwhiler.

Anecdotal reports suggest both accidental and intentional catches of the fish are becoming more prevalent, said Rodger M. Klindt, a fisheries biologist for the DEC region.

"People have discovered some of their spawning areas," Mr. Klindt said. "At that point they're actually easy to catch."

In the north country, Mr. Klindt said, he's heard reports of sturgeon catches in the St. Lawrence River and its tributaries between Waddington and Massena in St. Lawrence County, and in the Oswegatchie and Grasse rivers.

"Any time you're fishing baited in any of these waters that have sturgeon in them, you're just as likely to catch one of these as anything else," he said.

DEC offered these tips on how to safely release lake sturgeon:

■ Avoid bringing the fish into the boat if possible.

■ Use pliers to remove the hook. Sturgeon almost always are hooked in the mouth.

■ Always support the fish horizontally. Do not hold sturgeon in a vertical position by its head, gills, or tail, even for taking pictures. "Their bodies are designed to be supported in water," Mr. Klindt said. "It would be like holding you up by the hands and putting another 100 pounds at your feet."

■ Never touch their eyes or gills.

■ Minimize the fish's time out of the water.

■ Use caution when handling the fish as they have sharp, scaly plates called scutes on their backs. Use gloves or a damp towel to avoid injury.

DEC issued the advisory after receiving many reports of sturgeon being caught in the Upper Niagara River near Buffalo Harbor, according to an agency press release. Those catches likely were intentional, Mr. Klindt said.

Lake sturgeon used to be prevalent in the state, but habitat loss, dams and commercial fishing severely reduced their population. Sturgeon were once considered a nuisance fish, as they were often netted during efforts to catch lake trout and whitefish and could destroy fishing equipment because of their large size.

DEC runs a very small stocking program for lake sturgeon and another program to maintain or create new spawning beds, Mr. Klindt said. Because females take 20 years to mature and spawn only every few years.

"They can't regenerate like other species do," Mr. Klindt said. "It takes a long time for them to come back."

Mr. Klindt called the fish a "living fossil" that haven't changed in 100 million years.

"They're a really cool fish," he said. "But make sure it gets back into the water as quickly as possible."