Key points
- Identity: North America's largest freshwater fish, capable of growing over 6 meters and living for more than a century.
- Endangered Status: Dam construction altered natural river hydrology, flows, and temperatures, preventing successful natural spawning and egg survival. The Kootenai River sturgeon population is critically endangered.
- Recovery Efforts: Managed under active conservation hatcheries (e.g., Kootenay Trout Hatchery) that spawn wild fish and release juveniles to maintain the population.
- Where: Historically migrated throughout Kootenay Lake, Kootenay River, and Columbia River corridors .
Regulations (Region 4, 2025–2027)
- Strict Protection: The daily quota for sturgeon is 0 (CLOSED) across all regional waters. Targeting sturgeon is illegal, and any accidental catches must be released immediately without removing the fish from the water .
Open questions
- Spawning habitat restoration projects and their long-term viability in restoring wild recruitment.
Related
- Kootenay River — historical spawning habitat.
- Kootenay Lake — historical range.
- Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (Go Fish BC) — runs conservation hatchery programs.