Lake sturgeon are arguably the largest and most unique freshwater fish in North America. Unfortunately their uniqueness includes many characteristics that make them especially vulnerable to anthropogenic impacts including overfishing, habitat fragmentation, and degradation. For approximately 100 years lake sturgeon populations across North America have either been in decline and (or) have experienced a sluggish recovery. While this is partly due to lake sturgeon life history, most researchers agree that habitat fragmentation and degradation are currently the highest risk to the species. Though most lake sturgeon populations are depressed, there are a few exceptions that offer a glimpse into what a stable population or recovery may look like. The following review highlights such instances as well as what is known and more importantly what is not known about this unique species. Specifically, we highlight the need for improved and organized sharing of raw data given the fact that many researchers do not have access to the plethora of information available to others (e.g., otoliths for aging). We examine the varying life history and diet choices of this plastic species offering hypotheses for differences in migration routes and distances as well the differing recovery rates found across their range. We highlight myths about the species providing evidence that they may not be as long lived and fecund as previously thought. We examine the lake sturgeon's current legal status across North America including the efforts of nonprofit groups that have had success in increasing population numbers. Most importantly, we highlight logistical problems faced by researchers and data gaps in the literature that must be filled to increase the odds of a successful recovery. Alongside the data gaps, the recovery of this species is fraught with political and industrial road blocks that are as varied as its current recovery. Subsequently, as is the case with many species, its survival will come down to solid scientific knowledge and the value placed on it by society.Résumé : L'esturgeon de lac constitue sans aucun doute l'unique et plus gros poisson d'eau douce en Amérique du Nord. Malheureusement, son unicité inclut plusieurs caractéristiques le rendant vulnérable aux impacts anthropogènes, incluant la surpêche ainsi que la fragmentation de l'habitat et sa dégradation. Pendant environ 100 ans, les populations d'esturgeon de lac sur l'ensemble de l'Amérique du Nord ont connu un déclin et/ou une lente récupération. Alors que ceci est dû en partie au cycle vital de l'esturgeon, la plupart des recherches s'accordent pour dire que la fragmentation de l'habitat et sa dégradation constituent présentement le plus fort risque pour cette espèce. Bien que la plupart des populations d'esturgeon de lac soient déprimées, il existe quelques exceptions offrant une idée de ce que représente une population stable ou en récupération. Cette revue souligne de tels cas ainsi que ce que l'on connaît au sujet de cette espèce unique. Spécifiquement, les auteu...
We examined geographic range, distribution, and migration patterns of Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens within the largest contiguous section of the Saskatchewan River system in Saskatchewan, Canada. Lake Sturgeon use portions of the North, South, and main‐stem Saskatchewan River during the summer months. The Forks area was observed to be an overwintering area. Lake Sturgeon were observed to migrate each year, and all Lake Sturgeon migrated at least once in the 3‐year study. Lake Sturgeon were observed to undertake significant migrations (>100 km/year) using all three rivers. Migration initiation date was consistent over the 3‐year period, whereas migration return date was more variable and may be linked to river flow rate. No significant differences in distance covered between years were identified, but Lake Sturgeon tended to migrate longer distances in years when flow rates were higher. Finally, the spatial extent of Lake Sturgeon in the Saskatchewan River System appears to be larger than that of many previously studied river and lake populations. This study provides important insights into Lake Sturgeon distribution and migration patterns within large prairie rivers, increasing our basic knowledge of this unique fish species in understudied river systems, and provides important information for conservation within their historic range. Received January 16, 2014; accepted August 5, 2014
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