Lake Sturgeon are unique, ancient fish inhabiting the Great Lakes and tributaries. A culturally significant being to the Ojibwe, Lake Sturgeon are a harbinger of spring. Historically abundant populations were nearly eliminated by the early 1900's due to over harvest, water pollution, and habitat loss. Improved water quality by the 1980's allowed state, tribal and federal authorities to reintroduce Lake Sturgeon by stocking hatchery raised fish. Today some watersheds, such as the St. Louis River Estuary, show signs of naturally reproducing populations. Watch the program recording here: https://youtu.be/0VzoAoEawnQ
Seeking more resources about Lake Sturgeon? Check these out:
· Lake Sturgeon StoryMap
· Lake Sturgeon Kahoot!
· Great Lakes Aquarium Run for Your Lifecycle lesson plan
· Great Lakes Aquarium Becoming Scientists: Synthesizing and Communication (Fish CSI) lesson plan
· St. Louis River Alliance flyer: Lake Sturgeon in the St. Louis River
· Menominee Sturgeon Release Feast and Powwow (Menominee are linguistically related to Ojibwe-Algonquin): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr-ajGIpSzY
· Gun Lake Release-Michigan Pottawatomi (another Algonquin tribe): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRP4li1q88s
· Children’s book: Nanaboozhoo and the Sturgeon
· Ojibwe Clans Project (youth): https://intersectingart.umn.edu/?lesson/44