By JOE HENRY
People love a good comeback story, and that is exactly what is happening on the northern border of Minnesota. Lake sturgeon have made, and are continuing to make, an incredible comeback. At one point, the population of these massive, prehistoric fish was struggling, but a few important changes turned the tide. Now sturgeon numbers, size and popularity are on the rise.
One of the largest populations of lake sturgeon in the U.S. lives in the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. This scenic and winding waterway marks the international border with Canada and is best known for walleyes. However, anglers looking to catch the biggest freshwater fish of their lives — fish that can exceed 100 pounds — are beginning to take notice of the sturgeon.
The sturgeon population has been getting healthier since the mid-1960s. Commercial netting, used to harvest sturgeon eggs to be processed into caviar, was halted in the early 1920s. Since caviar harvesting involved cutting open the fish and removing the eggs, it drastically reduced sturgeon numbers.
At one point, Lake of the Woods was a major producer of the world’s caviar. Caviar was shipped via steamships to Kenora, Ontario, where established railroad lines transported it to major East Coast U.S. cities, where demand was high.
In addition to commercial netting, pollution in the Rainy River took a toll on the sturgeon population. Before modern regulations, excessive pollution and pulp waste from upstream paper mills harmed water quality. Significant improvements did not happen until the Clean Water Act was strengthened in the mid-1960s.
Historically, it is believed that the most successful sturgeon reproduction occurred in the cleaner waters of the tributaries feeding into the Rainy River. Once commercial netting ended and pollution levels dropped, sturgeon populations began to thrive. Today, a regulated sturgeon “keep season” allows anglers to harvest one sturgeon of between 45 and 50 inches or over 75 inches per calendar year.
Anglers who wish to keep a sturgeon must purchase a sturgeon tag, in addition to their Minnesota fishing license. The tagged fish must then be reported to the Minnesota DNR, similar to registering a deer after a hunt.
Because of the abundance of sturgeon in the Rainy River and anglers’ growing knowledge of how to target them, interest in sturgeon fishing has skyrocketed.
The appeal of catching a fish that can reach up to 120 pounds is undeniable. Typically, landing a fish of that size requires a trip to the ocean — but not anymore.
Lake sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish in the Great Lakes Basin. They prefer nearshore warm waters of 50–65°F and depths of 15–30 feet. Their diet consists of insect larvae, crayfish, snails, clams, leeches, minnows and other small aquatic creatures found along the river bottom.
Unlike most fish, lake sturgeon do not have scales. Instead, they have five rows of bone-like plates along their backs and stomachs called scutes. These scutes are sharp when the fish are young but become smoother as they age. When you handle a sturgeon, you quickly realize just how durable and tough these prehistoric fish are.
Sturgeon can live for over 100 years but grow and reproduce slowly. Females take about 25 years to mature, while males mature at 15 years. Females spawn only once every four years, while males spawn every other year. Because of their slow reproduction rates, it is important to handle these fish with care to ensure future populations remain strong. Many of these fish are older than the anglers catching them, making them true river elders!
For those who want to experience the thrill of catching a sturgeon, many Lake of the Woods and Rainy River resorts offer guided sturgeon trips. A guide provides valuable knowledge about where to fish and supplies the heavy rods, reels, line and tackle needed to handle these giants.
For anglers bringing their own boats and gear, a standard sturgeon rig consists of an 18-inch leader of 60-pound test line with a circle hook. This rig is paired with a flat “no roll” sinker weighing 3–4 ounces, depending on the current.
Most anglers use nightcrawlers, frozen emerald shiners or a combination of both as bait. The best approach is to anchor upstream of a deep hole in the river. The current carries the scent of the bait downstream, drawing sturgeon to the area.
Planning ahead for landing a big fish is essential. A large net or a tail lasso helps manage the fish safely. Have needle-nose pliers ready for hook removal and a camera set for a quick photo before releasing the fish.
Catching a big lake sturgeon is an incredible experience. The moment you hook into one of these prehistoric fish, the raw power is undeniable. Your rod doubles over, and the reel screams as the fish rips line. After an exhausting battle, the fish surfaces, sometimes launching itself out of the water in an impressive display. It is not your typical day of fishing — and it is certainly not your typical fish.