VOLUNTEER STURGEON PATROL CONTINUES AT BLACK RIVER LANSING--Over the next five weeks, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources again will be joining forces with local citizens in Cheboygan County to protect spawning lake sturgeon in the upper Black River. "When lake sturgeon come to spawn in the shallow upstream riffles of the river, they are very vulnerable to poachers," said Sgt. Greg Drogowski, Area Law Supervisor. "With the help of these 'Sturgeon Guarding Program' volunteers, we will be able to monitor key areas 24 hours a day." In addition, the portion of the upper Black River from Kleber Dam to Red Bridge Road is closed to all fishing during April and May to protect the spawning sturgeon. The lake sturgeon, the largest and oldest fish to live in the Great Lakes, is a unique late-maturing, slow-growing fish that can live 50-60 years and weigh more than 200 pounds. Male lake sturgeon reach sexual readiness at 15-20 years of age, and then spawn only every other year. Once females mature at about 20-25 years of age, they spawn on average every four years. These characteristics have prevented the recovery of the lake sturgeon, which has been designated as a threatened species. When sturgeon are in the river to spawn, local citizens, volunteers from the Michigan National Guard and members of the local chapter of Sturgeon for Tomorrow will stand watch and use cellular phones, provided by Cellular One of Cheboygan, to report suspicious activity to the DNR Report All Poaching hotline. The information will be forwarded to conservation officers on patrol in the area. A reward of up to $1,000 has been offered by Sturgeon for Tomorrow and the RAP program for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person or persons illegally taking lake sturgeon
Source: MDNR
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