2023 Black Lake sturgeon fishing season is month away: What to know

Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press
·3 min read
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The 2023 Black Lake sturgeon fishing season will begin next month at Black Lake in Cheboygan County. As the state's shortest fishing season approaches, let's take a look at the status of sturgeon and what anglers can expect when they head out to get a chance at the six fish in this year's quota.

Sturgeon fishing in Michigan

Lake sturgeon, a freshwater fish found throughout North America, marks the largest freshwater fish native to the Great Lakes basin. Their typical lifespan is 55 years and they can weigh up to 300 pounds.

The sturgeon fishing industry in Michigan features a rich history beginning with Native American tribes. Following the arrival of European settlers, the practice further developed amidst growing demand. However, by the late 19th century this led to overfishing and a reduction in the harvest. The fish continue to face challenges, which experts have addressed in recent years.

Rehabilitation efforts

Efforts to repopulate the species have seen progress over the past 20 years. In 1994, officials designated lake sturgeon as a threatened species in Michigan, leading to restoration efforts. This included the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University and tribal agencies. Workers raised sturgeon eggs and larvae in streamside rearing facilities for protection, then released into local waters.

More:Sturgeon, once on brink of extinction, are slowly coming back

Getting the catch

The 2023 Black Lake sturgeon season begins at 8 a.m. Feb. 4 and will be structured with daily fishing hours of 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Officials will mark the end of the season based on harvesting quantity or a set timeline. The close of the season may be marked by harvesting six fish or harvesting five fish at the end of any fishing day. Alternatively, the season will end at 2 p.m. Feb. 8.

Last year's season lasted 36 minutes, according to the DNR. The largest fish caught was a 62-inch male that weighed 67 pounds.

A 62-inch male sturgeon harvested at the 2022 Black Lake sturgeon season.
A 62-inch male sturgeon harvested at the 2022 Black Lake sturgeon season.

Fishing guidelines

To participate in the season, anglers must register online ahead of time. Those age 17 or older are also required to have a valid Michigan fishing license. The deadline to register online is Feb. 3.

There will be a limit of six fish to harvest during the season, which DNR officials will enforce. How many sturgeon anglers catch and the timeline will impact the duration of the season.

Anglers will be required to bring a bright red flag, of 1 foot diameter or larger, to hang on visible locations of their fishing shanty. This will ensure DNR officials can identify participating anglers for the sturgeon season.

Registered anglers will get texts the night before the season opens, when the season opens, when a fish is registered as taken by an angler and when the season ends.

DNR involvement

DNR officials will be highly involved throughout the season, monitoring the process. From online registration to on-site sturgeon harvesting, the department plays a role in maintaining the process.

Staff will be at a DNR trailer on the ice, located at the end of Zollner Road on the northwest part of Black Lake. Anglers must report all sturgeon harvests to the DNR personnel for official registration. They will then take the fish to the DNR trailer for registration. This can include examining the sturgeon's internal organs and removing a piece of fin tissue for DNA analysis or aging.

Ice conditions

Officials urge caution and are monitoring weather conditions for anglers. This winter, ice conditions on regional lakes have been marginal. To ensure a safe sturgeon season, come prepared with the key facts about ice conditions.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Black Lake sturgeon season 2023 starts Feb. 4 in Michigan