The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the release of 1,000 juvenile lake sturgeon into Cattaraugus Creek as part of an effort to restore the species in Lake Erie. The initiative is a partnership between DEC, the Seneca Nation of Indians, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton stated, “Under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership and in partnership with the Seneca Nation of Indians and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York is making tremendous strides in restoring and improving the health of the Lake Erie ecosystem. The successful collaboration leading to this sturgeon release sets the path to re-establishing historic spawning populations and bolstering growth of the wild Lake Erie sturgeon stock for years to come.”
Historically, Lake Erie supported at least 19 spawning populations of lake sturgeon, including one in Cattaraugus Creek. According to traditional ecological knowledge from the Seneca Nation of Indians, Cattaraugus Creek once had a robust spawning population that allowed for annual harvests. Currently, only two wild spawning populations remain: one near Buffalo Harbor in Lake Erie’s east basin and another in the St. Clair Detroit River System in the west basin.
The sturgeon released were raised at Genoa National Fish Hatchery in Wisconsin by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Each fish was tagged for future identification before being transported with help from hatchery staff, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and DEC’s Chautauqua Hatchery personnel. After their release into Cattaraugus Creek, these fish are expected to travel to Lake Erie where they will mature over eight to ten years before returning to spawn. The project aims for approximately 750 adult sturgeon to be spawning in Cattaraugus Creek by 2040 after 25 years of planned stocking.
Lake sturgeon are among New York’s largest freshwater fish species, capable of living over a century and reaching lengths up to seven feet and weights exceeding 300 pounds. They typically reach maturity after eight years and breed intermittently in large creeks or swiftly flowing rivers.
Efforts like this are outlined in New York State’s Lake Sturgeon Recovery Plan (2018–2024), which DEC is currently updating to include restoration activities for Cattaraugus Creek. Due to low population numbers, fishing for lake sturgeon remains prohibited statewide.
For more information on lake sturgeon management efforts, visit the DEC lake sturgeon webpage.
