Prehistoric Fish Return to Georgia Waters

Late last year, Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists began stocking lake sturgeon in the Etowah River above Lake Allatoona. Lake sturgeon are often described as “prehistoric” in appearance, and the species has existed since the time of the dinosaurs. Sturgeon are long and thin with bony plates on their bodies, dorsal fins similar to sharks, and sucker-like mouths above wiry whiskers. The lake sturgeon stocked in Georgia are expected to reach up to 50 pounds in weight. Over-harvesting and pollution have left lake sturgeon either threatened or endangered in 19 of the 20 states within their original range in the U.S., in spite of natural longevity of the species. They had disappeared completely from the Etowah and Coosa River basins in Georgia. The Georgia DNR is re-stocking the fish to re-establish a native sport fish and conserve a rare native species. Because lake sturgeon are not natural predators of other fish and have low reproductive rates, they are not expected to negatively impact any existing sport fish populations. Lake sturgeon cannot be harvested in Georgia. If caught, they should be handled gently and released unharmed as soon as possible. As part of the sturgeon reintroduction effort, the Georgia DNR would like to hear about any sturgeon sightings; please report any catches or sightings to the Wildlife Resources Division in Calhoun (706-624-1161).