DEC, in partnership with the Seneca Nation of Indians and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, stocked 1,000 eight-inch lake sturgeon into Cattaraugus Creek for the first time this past October! This stocking represents the first step of a 25-year plan to reestablish a spawning population of adult lake sturgeon in the creek. Following stocking, these fish will leave the creek and head to Lake Erie for several years before (hopefully) returning to the creek to spawn as adults. Historically, the Lake Erie management unit supported at least 19 spawning populations of lake sturgeon, including Cattaraugus Creek, but today only two populations remain. Due to low populations, fishing for lake sturgeon is prohibited in New York State. 

Capable of living more than 100 years, lake sturgeon are one of New York State’s largest freshwater fish, sometimes reaching lengths of seven feet and weighing more than 300 pounds! 

Visit the Lake Sturgeon Management in New York webpage for more information.